JUNGLE JUSTICE AND THE MILITARY: A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN NIGERIA

On January 30, 2025, a shocking video made its way onto social media, showing a scene that many Nigerians have sadly come to recognize. A junior soldier was seen beating a young man he accused of wearing an army uniform. As if that was not bad enough, the soldier forced the victim to roll in a pit filled with trash. This ugly display of jungle justice is unfortunately not a rare occurrence; it highlights the ongoing human rights violations that plague our country. You can watch the scene of dehumanization and flaggrant human rights violation below.

Yes, the young man may have done something wrong by allegedly wearing military attire – an offence that is punishable under Nigerian law – but there is absolutely no excuse for such brutal violence. This raises an important question: why does the military, which is supposed to protect our nation’s borders and respond to security threats, feel it can treat civilians this way? Such brutality not only goes against the Constitution but also undermines the very foundation of democracy and the rule of law.

 Violating the Constitution

According to Nigeria’s Constitution, the military is tasked with protecting our borders, not acting as an extrajudicial law enforcement body. The Nigerian Army is not meant to hand out punishment or engage in violence against civilians. Section 34(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to life, dignity, and personal liberty. The actions captured in that video clearly violate these rights. What the soldier did is an abuse of power and a direct breach of the Constitution, with serious implications for society as a whole.

When military personnel take the law into their own hands – acting without consequences to their actions – they send a troubling message: that might makes right. This kind of behaviour erodes public trust in law enforcement and fosters a climate of fear, where the powerful feel untouchable, and the vulnerable are left at their mercy.

 A National Crisis

This incident is just the latest in a long series of cases where soldiers and security personnel have been accused of using excessive force. From extrajudicial killings to unwarranted attacks on civilians, the Nigerian military’s track record on human rights is deeply concerning. Even worse, these acts of violence often go unpunished. Soldiers involved in cases that lead to death are rarely held accountable, which only encourages others to act with the same disregard for the law. And this raises a whole lot of questions about democratic sanity, as depicted in THE AKPOTI THORN IN THE AKPABIO FLESH, THE PRICE OF FREE SPEECH IN THE TINUBU GOVERNMENT, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNDERLINING OF THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION IN RIVERS STATE,  A BATTLE OF POWER, PRIDE, AND POLITICAL BETRAYAL, NIGERIA'S REPUTATION ON THE EDGE OF A GLOBAL PRECIPICE,  and THE DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE AND ITS FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS.

What is even more frustrating is that the military often reflects the government’s failure to protect its citizens. The inability to regulate the conduct of security personnel reinforces the belief that those in power can act recklessly without fear of repercussions. This unchecked behaviour sends a harmful message, especially to younger generations, suggesting that violence is an acceptable way to resolve conflicts.

 A Call to Action: Restoring Civility and Accountability

In a functioning democracy like Nigeria claims to be, we cannot let the military operate as if it is above the law. The power they hold must come with a sense of responsibility, accountability, and respect for human rights. The government needs to take serious steps to address this issue, starting with ensuring that military personnel are properly trained in the appropriate use of force and in protecting civilians. Clear guidelines should be established for their interactions with the public, and any violations must be dealt with swiftly.

This is not just about human rights; it is about the integrity of our democracy. If we continue to let the military act as if they are above the law, we are setting a dangerous precedent that undermines the principles of justice and fairness that our nation should uphold. Nigerians deserve better than a government that turns a blind eye to military brutality, while the vulnerable continue to suffer from corruption and oppression.

We also need to remember that this kind of brutality harms not just the individuals who experience it but also contributes to the erosion of public trust in government institutions. When people lose faith in their government’s ability to protect them, they start to question the legitimacy of the state.

As a nation, it is time for us to grow into a society that respects human dignity, where justice is not determined by physical strength, and where the rule of law governs every aspect of our lives. Nigeria stands at a crossroads, and how we address these issues today will shape whether we evolve into a true democracy or slide further into authoritarianism.

The military needs to be reminded that their role is to protect and serve, not to terrorize the population. To achieve that, we must hold them to the same standards of accountability as every other institution. This is not just about one soldier or one incident; it is about restoring justice and fairness in our society and ensuring that Nigeria matures into a civilized nation where human rights are honoured, and might never overshadows what is right.

                                                                        Okom, Emmanuel Njor (PhD)