Soldier Who Brutalised Female Food Vendor In Benue, Refused To Pay For Meal Detained By Army
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the detention of one of its personnel, Private Christopher Emmanuel, over an allegation of physically assaulting a female food vendor in Benue State.
The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Abdullahi Lawal Osabo of the 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, who made this known in a statement issued on Saturday said the incident which occurred on May 6, 2025, in Kula, Gwer West Local Government Area, came to the attention of military authorities on May 8.
“The Headquarters Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) has taken cognizance of an incident involving Private Christopher Emmanuel and a female vendor, Doshima, which occurred on 6 May 2025 but reported on 8 May 2025, in Kula, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State,” Osabo stated.
It was found out that a Facebook user, Ukan Kurugh, had on May 8, in a petition addressed to Chief of Army Staff, and shared on the social media platform, accused Private Emmanuel of assaulting the said victim.
Attached with several photos of the said victim, the petitioner who identified as human/gender rights activist in the petition said, “I write as a concerned citizen and advocate for justice on behalf of the defenceless and voiceless.
“I bring to your attention the brutal treatment meted out to a young woman operating a local food business (popularly known as “mama put”) in Kula village, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, by one of your personnel, identified as Private Emmanuel Christopher.
“The victim runs a humble eatery near a temporary military base in the community.
“Her ordeal began when Private Emmanuel consumed food worth N2400 on credit and failed to pay after several weeks.
“When she respectfully approached him to request payment, the soldier returned to her place of business wielding a large stick.
“In a demeaning display, he dropped naira notes one by one on the ground and asked her to pick them.
“When she bent down to collect them, he brutally assaulted her, beating her severely with the stick and leaving visible injuries.
“His justification for this cruel action was that she was being rude to a military officer, and that she needed to be “taught a lesson” as she was not the first food vendor to serve soldiers.
“This conduct is a flagrant abuse of military authority and a violation of the rights and dignity of a hardworking Nigerian citizen.
“No one, especially those working to make an honest living, deserves such treatment under any circumstances.
“It is important to state that the people of Gwer West are already traumatised and displaced by incessant attacks from suspected killer herdsmen, who have over the years ravaged villages, destroyed farmlands, and left many dead or homeless.
“It was against this backdrop that a military formation was set up in Kula village to protect the people and restore peace.
“Sadly, rather than being a source of succour, this soldier’s behaviour is now adding to the woes of an already battered population.”
The petitioner reposted the petition on Friday where he copied the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.
The petitioner said, “In view of this, I respectfully urge your office to initiate a full and impartial investigation into the incident.
“Bring Private Emmanuel Christopher to justice, in line with military regulations and applicable civil laws.
“Ensure the victim receives appropriate medical care and compensation.
“Use this opportunity to reaffirm the Army’s stance against rights violations and reinforce the need for respectful civil-military relations, especially in rural communities.
“We believe the Nigerian Army stands for honour, discipline, and protection of the citizenry.
“Addressing this matter promptly will help sustain public confidence and ensure that those who abuse their uniforms do not go unpunished.”
In his statement, the 401 Special Forces Brigade spokesperson, Osabo said that the headquarters of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), under which the soldier is deployed, has launched a full scale investigation into the matter.
Osabo noted that Private Emmanuel is currently being held in custody while the inquiry is ongoing, stressing that the Army has zero tolerance for human rights violations.
He said, “Private Christopher Emmanuel is currently in custody, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for human rights abuses and will take disciplinary action based on findings of the investigation.”
The military leadership reassured both the victim and the public that it remains committed to accountability and upholding human rights in all operations.
He said, “The leadership of the Nigerian Army assures the general public and the victim that justice will be served in line with the military’s high standards.
“OPWS strongly condemns any form of indiscipline or human rights abuse by its personnel.”
The Army also urged members of the public to report any incidents of abuse through the official Human Rights Desk helpline, rather than turning to social media.
“Members of the public are advised to report any instances of abuse by Nigerian Army personnel to the Human Rights Desk helpline instead of running to social media in the first instance.
“All reports of infractions by Nigerian Army personnel are viewed seriously, investigated and sanctions applied where personnel are found culpable.”
