The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has backed the Nigerian Army on detention of female soldier, Army Private Hannah Sofiat, after she accepted a marriage proposal from her corps member lover, at the NYSC orientation camp in Yikpata, Kwara State.
WITHIN NIGERIA had reported that the Nigerian Army said the female officer was detained because she violated military laws by getting involved in a public display of amorous relationship with a paramilitary trainee, a corps member.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday December 21, Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Shuaibu explained that the Army is a strong institution which was founded on the basis of discipline.
Shuaibu further stated that the Nigerian army will not take anything that will impinge on discipline lightly.
“Every organisation has its own customs and traditions, and we have to abide by it. We, on our part, have spoken to our corps members.
“We encourage them to inter-marry, but we have never had a situation where a corps member will go and propose (to a soldier).
“The Army has its own tradition and they will not joke with it. So, we always tell our corps members to play by the rules.
“I can assure that the army as an institution is built on its customs and traditions, and anything that will impinge on discipline, they will not take it lightly,” he said.