It’s a sadly familiar story of bullies using their status as military personnel to oppress innocent civilians, sometimes leading to their death. This time, it involved some soldiers attached to Ibodi Barracks in Osun State, and tragically resulted in the death of Adeyinka Adekunle, a 37-year-old car dealer.
A delegation from the 2 Division, Ibadan, Nigerian Army, that visited the father of the deceased, Pa David Adekunle, on April 12, was reported to have told him that the soldiers involved had been arrested and the guilty would be punished.
Pa Adekunle, 79, said the two army officers that visited him “asked the eyewitness, who is a sister to Solomon Ogundare, who was also arrested and tortured along with the deceased, to write a report on what she witnessed and make it available to the Army in Ibadan.”
According to a report, “the deceased and a friend, Solomon Ogundare, went to a relaxation spot in the Imo area of Ilesa on March 24. A disagreement broke out shortly after three soldiers, who were in mufti, begged the friends for drinks and they refused.
“As the altercation degenerated into a fracas, one of the military officers phoned the Ibodi barracks and soldiers stormed the area. While Adeyinka escaped from the scene, his friend was caught and taken to the barracks.
“The soldiers caught Adeyinka the next day when he went to the barracks in the company of his friend’s sister, Elizabeth Itunu, to secure the release of his vehicle and Ogundare. He died after being subjected to rounds of torture by the soldiers, who also reportedly forced him to eat his vomit.”
Adeyinka’s death resulted from abuse of power by the soldiers involved. It shows yet again that some military personnel think they are above the law and can get away with acts of lawlessness against civilians. This is an unacceptable mentality, and bad for the image of the military.
Military bullies that oppress civilians, sometimes leading to their death, are an embarrassment to the armed forces. It is unclear how much the military leadership is doing to educate military personnel that abuse of power, especially when civilians are the victims, is unprofessional and unacceptable.
Sanctions are obviously useful for deterrent effect. This is why the army authorities should be seen to treat Adeyinka’s tragic death with a sense of justice, and ensure that the soldiers who caused his death are severely punished.