By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Twenty-seven-year-old Uzoma Okere has narrated her ordeal in the hands of some Naval officers to governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state, saying she was manhandled by them.
Okere said the naval men, attached to Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade, Monday night, on Victoria Island, assaulted her and tore her clothes.
She said the officers had asked her to stop since their boss was on the same road. ”I tried to move my car to the left side of the road but before I knew what was happening, one of them came out of a car in the convoy of the naval officer and whipped me while I was still seated in my car.
“I came out and I held on to the whip. Four other ratings rushed at me, held my hands and tried to put a handcuff on me. “One of them tore my shirt. I tried to adjust it and get back into the car but they whipped me,” she narrated, adding that a man who tried to challenge them, was hit on the head with the butt of a gun.
“They dragged out the other ladies in my car, both of them were pregnant women and beat them up. “While all this was going on, they pulled me into the compound where the Rear Admiral had driven into and I was screaming for someone to call my dad. One of my colleagues got the phone and called my father,” she said.
Her father spoke with the Rear Admiral on phone and the Admiral told her that he knew her father at the Nigeria Military School.
“My father was his senior, I think my father was in class five while he was in year one. After that, the Rear Admiral said I could go and I said I can’t go with my shirt torn.
“He asked one of his guys to get me a shirt. As I was going out, I met a mob and they asked whether he apologised and I said no. They asked me to wait until he apologised.
“A couple of minutes later, he tried to drive out but the mob stopped him. He went back and his guys came out with whips and were ready to shoot anybody. They whipped some people who waited,” she added. Governor Fashola condemned the inhuman treatment of Okere by the naval men and assured her that justice would be done to the case.
“As a member of government, even though they (the naval officers) are not an agency of the state government, I will apologise to you. Those who exercise authority in the state, and have the responsibility of protecting you have actually turned against you.
“This matter has been brought to my attention by e-mails. At this moment, I can assure you that our democracy will protect you. You will get justice” he assured the lady.
The governor said he has summoned the Solicitor-General of the state and the head of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD). “They will meet you and hear your story in details and continue to advise you,” he said.
Fashola said the state government was ready to offer the lady free legal assistance, adding that he would make a representation to president Umaru Yar’Adua on the matter.
“I am sure that you will get justice. The wheel of justice may turn slowly but we will turn this one to go fast. I don’t think any act of provocation could have justified what I have seen but it remains to be heard from the other side what happened,” he said.
ochy
7 November 2008 15:27Whatever thingt hat must happened, this lady (Okere) is not a militant, and oughtnotto have been treated as such. Some respect from the ‘unexposed’ Naval Ratings and their boss was what should have shown maturity of the Military. It’s a shame that at this time when other Nations including Ghana and South Africa are showing clean development and enforcing human rights, we are using the positions and opportunities we have to initimidate and maim other ciitizens. Hope the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of our country will address this notorious activity of the ‘mighty’.
Ogbeide Kennedy Osa
7 November 2008 16:03While other countries of the World are clamouring for change we in this part of the world are still quite insensitive and we do not want to embrace change. The era of brutality, force and military might is over.
The Naval rating we only learn his lesson, if the people in authority are ready and willing to show exemplary leadership, the best that happen in this case, is for him to be make to pay for his SINs, he should be outrightly dismissed from the Navy. Those his cohorts should not equally go unpunished.
It is a dawn of a new day , all over the World and Nigeria our country should not be left out.
I won’t be suprise though if at the end of the day, nothing is done. That is Nigeria 4 u and me, a country of lawlessness a country where anything GOES.
kunle
7 November 2008 16:05My fellow country men and women,it is in my candid view that Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade be court mashall ed along with his indisciplined DOGS, And dismissed from service,
Thier action is an embarassment to NIGERIA, as a NATION. It is highly disturbing to noe that such action could be exhibited under a democractic Government.
But in the main time, i sympathised with miss OKERE,while i expect absolute justice in this episode.
kunle
7 November 2008 16:08My fellow country men and women,it is, in my candid view that Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade be court mashalled along with his indisciplined DOGS, And dismissed from service,
Thier action is an embarassment to NIGERIA, as a NATION. It is highly disturbing to note that such action could be exhibited under a democractic Government.
But in the main time, i sympathised with miss OKERE,while i expect absolute justice in this episode.
Mr. Tito
7 November 2008 16:08It is a pity that our military officers who have been trained in developed countries where human rights are highly respected could behave like wild animals in Nigeria. What a big shame. What a big waste is the tax payers money spent on the admiral. If the admiral was aware of the animalistic behaviour of his boys, and he never bothered to punish them, he deserves to be dismissed and jailed. but if man cannot bring him to book, because of the type of country we are, he will definitely not escape the judgement of the Almighty. Whatever you so sow, you must reap.
Kenny
7 November 2008 16:12In addition to Kunle he should be stripped naked and whipped on national TV.
Fellow Nigerians, dont let this matter rest till it gets to a deserving resolution. I dont want any useless apology from the man
He must face the music
alani nofiu
7 November 2008 16:18This babarick behaviour will still continue to happen in as much as our security officers - police or army think they are the alfa and omega of everything in Nigeria. It is a shame while we say we are in democracy and behave like animals.
Blaze
7 November 2008 16:22Animals in human skin. The fear of the uniform is the beginning of wisdom in Nigeria. I thought the animals left power to civilians after the reign of their maximum leader IBB. Seems they want to do anything to come back. They have been caged for too long in their barracks. So they need to expend some of the energy that they have gained thus far. And on who else but a “poor bloody civilian” of course and a woman for that matter! The world is watching you our dear “defenders of the common masses”. Go to Youtube, ireport and other sites to see the gory details of what they did to that lady. You cant hide. This is an age of technological advancement. You don’t know what device people are carrying around and recording what is happening. THIS WILL NOT BE THE CASE OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER!!!! YOU STUPID FACES WERE CAUGHT ON CAMERA BY MANY PEOPLE!!!!
Big Emma
7 November 2008 16:24I support you all
Sobande Kunle
7 November 2008 16:36Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade should cover his head in shame for his action and that of his dogs. He is a married man and a father, what would he have done if his wife or daughter comes home crying that she has been molested by some idiots in uniform as thenaval ratings has done to Uzoma. He should be court marshalled and dismissed from the Navy. Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade is a disgrace to the Nigreian Navy. Naval authority should see to his removal as a matter of urgecy and to serve as deterent to the othe MAD DOGS IN UNIFORM
Kazeem Olatunde
7 November 2008 16:42Gov Ohakim should also be brought to book , His convoy has harassed an innocent woman with her kids in the car on Falomo bridge sometime this year, i learnt he’s so arrogant
fhemie
7 November 2008 16:43This is totally unacceptable, the Real admiral should be court martial with immediately effect, we paid taxes to feed the military and yet people are still brutalized almost every day, the dogs are following his footstep, they should be dismissed and charge to court.
Abimbola Abubakar
7 November 2008 16:43I am very certain the lady only got away with the ‘ light punishment ‘ because her father is someone in the society. One can then imagine how many days she probably would have spent in his “cell” if she were the daughter of a nobody. But God is patiently watching. He has said every soul that sins shall die and more encouragingly, no sinner shall go unpunished.
Tell me More
7 November 2008 16:58What makes these school drop outs who opted for military and police think they are superior beings? As a result of their defieciencies in school they end up as brute
Chyke Martins
7 November 2008 16:59Nigerians should keep this incident in their memories because sooner this mad naval officer will retire and the next thing he will do is to be a politician and he will ask nigerians to vote for him.His actions shows how he runs his family and office.Gov.Fash and Pres.Yar Adua shld not allow this to swept under the carpet.My sister fight for your right,this is democracy and not juncta regime.
MEND
7 November 2008 17:05The dasterdly act of Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade shows he is a coward in uniforms, when his mates are fighting to preserve peace in dafur congo and the rest of the world, he is beating up women, who am sure he intended to rape. by this act i call on anyone who knows his family to consider this open season on his family, beat up his daugthers and wife, so he knows how it feels, he should be striped of his rank as he is undeserving to be called a Nigerian Army General.
The senate should see this as a chance to show the nigerian people who democracy is for, the people or Gnerals, the shouyld be used as a scape goat, the disgrace metted out to the young woman is all round the world along with her nakedness, he’s shame should be more resounding.
FIND AND BEAT UP ANY WOMAN OF THE Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
Ayubay
7 November 2008 17:06HE’S WICKED AND INHUMAN, INFACT GOD WILL PUNISH HIM AND HIS DOGS. THEY WILL ALSO DO SAME TO HIS DAUGHTER. IDIOT.
Sango Abubakar
7 November 2008 17:24These navy boys are the militants in our society. A big shame on them. I think all TV stations should keep replaying the video clip for the next 2years to drum the message in the heads of our military institution that there is no room for uniform power in nigeria. They should hold their heads in shame and wonder it they were posted to Iraq or Afghanistan - if they would have the guts to wield horsewhips there. Stupid forcemen indeed
sophia
7 November 2008 17:28An officer like rear admiral Olufemi Arogundade is a disgrace to all military men and women in Nigeria. The Government must investigate this case and bring those animals in human skin to justice. It is a shame that while the rest of the world is moving forward,
some military officers would rather have us remain in the past.
If this behaviour should continue, civilians would be forced to defend defenseless citizens like Ms Uzoma. This is not the stone age
any more.
Shame, Shame Shame on you Arogundade.
Nze
7 November 2008 17:36I think the Navy should watch its image. It appears some of its men are bent on smearing the image of the men in white; a few days ago, an innocent life would have been wasted for making a’U’ turn in front of a naval gate around Kubwa in FCT. May be we should begin to house these mad men in uniforms in the middle of an ocean where they will have no contact with civilised society. Sorry miss Okere ; and thank God for your life. It could have been different if you were a daughter of an idle civilian.God please save us from these pepersoup generals without war experience.
Heykay
7 November 2008 17:45This is what goes around every now and then in Nigeria, if not for the position of Ms Okere’s father. But for God sake can the Mad dogs in kahki be reminded that they are been paid from the tax payers money. Also, if this can be corrected especially in Lagos State were uniform men dont pay public bus fare. I witnessed a uniform man brutalised a driver one day because he said one “staff” is sitted already that he doesn’t want 2. Please those in power should try correct the inhuman attitude of our men in khaki.
oluwole Adeniji-Adele
7 November 2008 17:48pls this guy should not go scot free, if he loses his job the rest of them will get the message, because he is not the only one gulity of this, the banks, police and other militry personal always want us to leave the road for them when ever they are it. i hope by the time they wipe, disfigure & kill everbody they will be satified and they can then fly or do what ever they want on the road
wole Adeniji-Adele
Igiri Oke
7 November 2008 17:54The military should be told that this is Obama age! we are no longer under whims and caprices of military or their surrogates
Akin
7 November 2008 17:58I really hope this is the same ugly incident captured and reported on Saharareporters.com
You need to see the video recording to appreciate the wickedness and disgrace meted to this young lady.
c.josef
7 November 2008 18:10NO MATTER HOW YOU TREAT A HE GOAT , SHE WILL NEVER STOP DISGRACING HER MOTHER IN THE PUBLIC.
NIGERIA MILLITERY IN GENERAL IS A DISGRACE TO THIS NATION.
NIGERIA NAVY IS DISGRACE IN THE HIGHEST ORDER.
otj
7 November 2008 18:25I’m in support you all my LOVELY BROTHERS…these goes to show that we read & love one another in this DIFFICULT COUNTRY!
I Love the people of this Country - Naija BUT dislike the system with passion! I keep wondering how we got into these systemic mess……People like Gov. Fashola with like minds & focused mindset should regroup SINCE they’ve got the political power & money/influence now & safe this COUNTRY in 2011 by collaborating with responsible YOUTHS across the COuntry…including Secondary & Tertiary Institutions….we can’t continue like this man!! See the elections in USA, the Jacob Tabo Mbeki case, etc!
Someone who does not understand the law can’t maintain or enforce it….simple. When a militant or Arm Robber is more ediucated, intelligent (Psychologically & otherswise) than the so called uniform men…then what do you expect???
Maurice Iwu was supposed to come out & encourage politicians to learn from what others are doing outside Africa politically, he came out talking Claptrap….I think that Prof is a ‘kolo’ man!! After One year plus, I don’t think this Govt. at the Federal level have achieved anything significant……no focus & vision at all…7 Pints Agenda on the pages of newspapers & Tv!!!!
Where this Country de go even with dis kind of leadership composition & structures????????
Adeola
7 November 2008 18:26Very bad behavior, but It is good that her father was an ex military person too, now they understand what it means when they call us bloody civilians.
Peter Claver Oparah
7 November 2008 18:36What can one say of a country where animals have vowed to pull back to the stone age? The world is celebrating the dawn of a new era in the Obama Presidency and here we are, saddled with an inept and ultra-corrupt system that encourages the bestaility of idiots like Arugundade. Let us forcefully demand our country back from these animals or else we may discover we don’t have any other country but the Animal Kingdom which Nigeria is being turned into now.
Adewale
7 November 2008 19:02I am not surprise of the acts of the naval rating to the woman. They had done it before for Late Business mongul Bashorun M. K. O. Abiola, though his own were Air Force, at that time their Commandant call them Bull Mad Dogs. So what do you expect og Mad Dogs.
didi
7 November 2008 19:06All i can say is that Nigerian citizens are becoming more enlightened and socially and politically conscious.This admiral i’m sure has been to europe or the u.s.i’m sure he never saw naval officers or top government officials behaving like a pack of wild dogs in these civilized societies.he should look at himself in a mirror and reflect on what kind of person he is.Resign admiral!
Sir Law
7 November 2008 19:31I commend Gov.Fashola’s efforts in addressing the inhuman way the young lady w as treated.I saw the act via i-pod which captured it from a far and they never knew.The law must take it’s course.All the so-called Naval officers who are supposed to protect the citizenry but turn around should be dealt with including the Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade.Until justice is done by Yaradua’s administration,we will not regard his government as democratic.Nigerians at home and diaspora should rise up and stop this inhuman act by the uniformed men.
ofong c.u.
7 November 2008 19:49i have watched the video of what happened to the lady,all i can say is that this is just one of the many inhuman treatments our women in nour day to day life.
The Rear Admiral has shown his kind of person at home,him and his stupid bodyguards should pay for this theier barbaric attitude towards this lady.we are all born by a woman and i don’t know what they were looking for stripping an innocent lady on the streets.
One thing is sure,there is a God in heaven that will pay them for thier evil acts.
oscar osagie asemota
7 November 2008 20:01nigerians should not vent grudge and much anger on the military officer, as he may not have sent his boys on errand of beating other road users as potrayed in this okere’s case of assult and molestation, for which some people,including the lagos state governor is trying to pick interest.our military officers should and must be respected at all times and always-for in their confidence, we are rest assured of a guarranteed security against external invaders. this is strictly police affair and they should wake-up to this public cry of the masses for which they took oath of office to protect or rerdress.
Victor
7 November 2008 21:19If this had happened in the Niger Delta, she would have been branded a militant. This is the type of nonsense that we see everyday in that region in the hands of military personel. Infact ours is worse because they carry out extra-judicial killings on men!
Jibson
7 November 2008 21:59Somebody must tell this military animals that we are in a democratic dispensation.The naval officer should bury his head in shame that is if he knows the meaning of shame.In the western world,he should be thinking of resigning by now.Please dear governor,make sure this is not swept under the carpet like other cases.Only God knows how many innocent people the have dealt with.Their cup don full.useless animals, like say na dem start to be military oga.
UCHE AMAHAGWU (LAGOS,NIGERIA.)
7 November 2008 22:49WE NEED TO PUBLICIZE THIS EVIL.
LET THE WHOLE WORLD SEE IT ,NO PROBLEMS !
THEY NEED TO BE TAUGHT SOME VERY BITTER LESSONS.
NEVER AGAIN SHALL WE ALLOW ANOTHER MISS UZOMA TO BE BRUTALIZED BY THESE ZOMBIES.
AS NIGERIANS, WE MUST LEARN TO BE FEARLESS EVEN IN THE FACE OF THREATS, INTIMIDATION & OPPRESSION.
WE CAN STAND THE GUNS OF THE ZOMBIES IF ONLY WE AGREE TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE.
WE CAN BRING THEM DOWN IF ONLY WE CHANGE OUR ATTITUDES POSITIVELY.
WE CAN…,
WE CAN…,
WE CAN STOP THIS CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY PERPETUATED BY THESE ILL-EDUCATED ANIMALS IN THE RANK AND FILE OF OUR POLICE AND ARMED FORCES.
IT’S TIME FOR OUR ELITES TO STAND UP AND DO SOMETHING TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE REALLY EDUCATED AND THAT THEY KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ILLITERATE AND A LITERATE PERSON.
AND FOR THE SO-CALLED REAR ADMIRAL,HE ‘S NOT JUST A DISGRACE TO THE NIGERIAN NAVY,HE’S AN IDIOT FOR ORDERING THE BEATING AND STRIPPING OF A THIS YOUNG LADY.I CALL ON THE NAVAL AUTHORITY TO STRIP HIM OF HIS RANK AND / OR OFFICE BECAUSE HE HAS ABUSED IT AND SHOWN THAT HE’S NOT CAPABLE OF WEARING SUCH AN EXALTED RANK IN THE ARMED FORCES.
IT’S TIME FOR AN ATTITUDINAL CHANGE .
IT’S TIME FOR A BRAND NEW DIRECTION.
IT’S TIME FOR NIGERIA TO MOVE FORWARD.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS !
Mege
7 November 2008 23:27It is unfortunate that out security personels are still brutalizing the people they are supposed to protect. In this situation I do not think the woman deserves the kind of treatment she was given. No matter the defence the ratings and their boss may present, the treatment given to Miss Okere should be condemned entirely. I think all the Civil right activist and the Human Right lawyers have a very good case at hand that will set good examples to all the security personels to know that the people the brutalize are the people they are trainned and payed to protect. In conclusion, I think the Naval Ratings and their boss should be brought to book in line with the Law
OGBENI N AIJA
8 November 2008 04:42PERSONALY I CONDEMN THE ACT OF BRUTALITY ON MISS OKERE BY THE NAVAL PERSONEL. WHAT I SEE IN THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE LAW OF NATURAL JUSTICE[ LAW OF KAMA] CATCHING UP WITH THE FATHER OF THE VICTIM,BEEN A RETIRED COLONEL IN THE NIGERIAN ARMY I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HE MUST HAVE DONE WORST TO INNOCENT PEOPLE SOMETIMES,SOMEWHERE,SOMEHOW.I WAS SO MOVED WHEN I READ THE NEWS AND WATCHED IT ON INTERNET.SOMETIMES GOD KNOWS HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE.
jacobian
8 November 2008 04:42The rear admiral and not the ratings is a MAD DOG, he should be dismissed from the military. He is not fit for a semi civilized society like ours. I watched the video and I am ashamed of him.
Samuel Alade
8 November 2008 08:35l am lucky to know Rear Admiral Arogundade Personally as a person, who can never hurt a fly.. yes this is hard to believe being a military man and an officer, but under that uniform is a perfect gentleman, a caring father and a loving husband. l was even made to believe that he was not physically present at the scene of the incident on that faithful day.
However,this kind of brusque behavior by the security details should be stopped, and only the military can do this by firing the so called mad dogs in their midst for every flippant behavior or action
l will advise the lady in question to use her fundamental rights and ask for justice, as only this will bring out the truth of the matter.
lam not holding brief for the Rear Admiral, but l know he will NEVER allow this kind of behavior let alone participate in it.
The Naval ratings deserve to be punished and so shall it be.
Bassey Duke
8 November 2008 10:46Why is this act not called mutiny against an innocent Nigerian. When officers demonstrate for their allowances, it is called mutiny because they are demonstrating against crooked military officers.
This case cannot be different when navy officers batter innocent Nigerians. This is mutiny against the people they are expected to protect.
Yar Adua must hear this and do something about brutality by the Army. Soldiers who brutalize their fellow Nigerian should be sent to places like Congo and Darfur and should never come back to Nigeria.
Nigerian Army is “The army that fights its own people”. Now is time for change and “Yes we can” Change things
Rev Sunday Ogundele
8 November 2008 13:57That’s why i decided not to have anything together with all these animal in uniform. femi arogundade and his co-horts should publicly apologise, compensate the lady and also be court-marshalled because he is a disgrace to our armed forces.
klinsmann oluwashola
8 November 2008 14:50what do you expect from MAD men in uniforms,the same people we are paying with tax money,could still inlict this type of injustice on an innocent citizen from this same country of ours,thats the type of people ruling us o,from the WEST to the EAST,NORTH to SOUTH,they are all the same,no human feelings and without the fear of GOD,worse scene than this has happen somewhere,but no records to show for them,GOD only decide to put them all to shame by letting someone to put this incident on a camcorder,now we all can see clearly that what we are in is not democracy,but ‘demo-dey-crazy,may GOD help us all
Tony
8 November 2008 16:16His ilks who are so much like him in civilian attire wld make sure d case comes to nothing. Felows countrymen when will our own change come? God preserve us all to see its fruition.
val egbarin (USA)
8 November 2008 19:41Those Naval guys and their boss should be so ashamed of them selves i just could couldnt beleive it it when i saw the I-Report video is truly a shame of a nation.
Diogu Ben
9 November 2008 18:07Dear Comander in Chief of the Arm Forces The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mr Yar`Adua please as an apostle of rule of law please do not let us down on this matter because a lot of such incident has happened before without anybody showning interese on it.
I personally has been once a victum of some mad millitry officers therefore i know the pains the young lady went through.The so call Rear Admiral and his mad accomplict should after due invastigetion dismissed from the service without delay,so that other like him should lern a lessen.Please miss Uzoma Okere do not accept any apology now from the mad people any more what we want is justice nothing more than that .God bless us ,God bless the federal Republic of Nigeria.
Leonards Onyekwere
9 November 2008 20:23The act of assault perpetrated on Miss Uzoma by the Naval ratings as captured in the video left no room for doubt. The naval officers involved were so brutal and apparently unperturbed by whatever the world may think about their action which makes me to wonder what kind of training these so called army men are given and why they believe that such conduct is acceptable in the 21st century Nigeria.
It is not enough to speak big grammars and neither is it enough to wait on Yaradua and the Navy to sanction the culprits, in fact, this case should be taken up by the civil societies and all human rights organization in Nigeria. It should be used to push for a legislation in the national assembly to ban and criminalize military brutality in Nigeria.
While Nigeria military can boast of many outstanding military men and women, there are a few rotten eggs like Admiral Olufemi Arogundade who spoils the bunch. He and his men should be immediately court marshaled without pay pending the outcome of the investigations.
friday A. owie-osaze
10 November 2008 08:31It is a pity that such are still happening in Nigeria. What if Okere’s father is not a personality in the country? it would have become a case of UNKNOWN SOLDIER. Reae Admiral Olufemi Arogundade deserve to be dismissed from the force. The is one of the bad element in the country that needs to be flash out. President Musa Yar’Adua should act immediately before this type of people brings him and his government down.
TOYIN AKIN
10 November 2008 08:50Well this is good response from our govt to give the affected people justice but what will be the hope of the common people that has nobody at the corrridor of power because her father is a retired col. and chief clerk of the national ass.We can see the intervention of the state and federal govt.
Lekan
10 November 2008 09:30This is a typical example of what the late legend “Abami eda” Fela Anikulapo Kuti sang about some years back, ‘Zombie o Zombie’ ‘cos it is hinghly dehumanizing that in this present time and day we still have some MAD DOGS parading themselves as uniform men metting out such treatment to innocent citizens of the country. Whereas, everybody in the country cannot be uniform men, be that as it may, the ‘idiot’ in the person of Rear Admiral Olufemi Arogundade is a disgrace to the Nigreian Navy, not fit to be among the humans and as such should together with his fellow MAD DOGS be dismissed from the navy, sued and made to pay through his nose and sent to jail for human right violation on Miss Okere. I trust my able governor His Excellency Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state to look deep into the matter. What would have happened if it were to be an ordinary citizen who has no retired colonel as a father…….. food for thought.
Michael
10 November 2008 10:16NIGERIA : when we you love yourself ?
jeff
10 November 2008 14:33This bastard or whatever he is that called himself Rear Admiral should be dismissed and made to face justice, supposing the girl father is not a military officer and promptly called this bastard, she perhaps would have been killed.
Sam Ogbo
10 November 2008 14:36It is a pity that its all happening in this largest black country in the world. The government of this nation should ensure that those ratings and their oga are court-marshaled and dismissed from the Navy to serve as a deterrent to other officers who may wish to display their military power on innocent civilians. We are all watching.
Harri Marshal
10 November 2008 15:25For me the only way Yar adua could make people of the military to stop this kind of act is to retire Arogundade, and please he should not say that it cannot be done, he can…. After that the lady in question can now sue for damages…
Proudly Nigerian
13 November 2008 14:40Everywhere I go online, I tell people I am proudly Nigerian. Unfortunately, many find it difficult to believe that there are Honest, Innocent and Loving Nigerians.
Our image in the international community is so bastardized that every foreigner chooses to be a doubting Thomas until they see tons of evidence that proves that something good can come out of Nigeria.
The recent assault on Lady Uzoma Okere is a setback for whatever gain we may have made in redeeming our image as a country that is truly practicing democracy and observing Human Rights.
This is quite unfortunate and the way this matter is handled will go a long way to tell the world if we are truly in a DEMOCRACY!
It does not really matter what the government wants to say in defense of the Officers, the video clip of the sad incidence is already uploaded online (I actually got here from the video clip) and IT CANNOT BE RECALLED!!! No amount of denial in the news media within Nigeria will do any good. YouTube does not bow to any government!
So the earlier the authority responsible handle this case as something important, the better for us all.
-Kudos to the Nigerian that recorded the video clip.
-Kudos to Governor Fashola for apologizing on behalf of the government. That is a man that have understanding that when you delegate authority, you are still accountable for what your delegates does. The Admiral may not have sent the officers but he is responsible for their actions and must act fast to redeem his image at home and abroad.
Am I still proudly Nigerian despite this un-proudly Nigerian saga? yes, I am.
kelvin
13 November 2008 21:07for Christ sake the victims is a woman like his mother, a woman like his wife and also a woman like his daughters so this is a violation of the sacred “femininity” this primitive act by a uniformed personnel is not only a shame to the force but also an assault to the image of Nigeria at a time effort is being made to salvage what is left of our reputation.
this ugly gist is on the internet hence the rear or front admiral should like a writer said be amongst other punishment be wiped on a national TV so that the world will know that we are making deliberate effort to stop any violation of human rights.
Rubi
14 November 2008 16:57Arogundade and his dogs are a disgrace…yes they are dogs because they acted like animals beating up a woman..they should gp and face their conterparts in battle,instead of violating innocent citizen.the navy is a double disgrace for trying to cover wickednesss and lie over the issue…Thank Gos for camera phones…they would have lied on the poor lady…..lets see what the federal government will do…..How can such injustice exist in a democratic era……If the navy is like this then we don`t need them since they produce wild animals…THE NAVY SHOULD BE ASHAMED…What is the presidency doing about this injustice?Because the defence ministry is not going to defend its citizens..this are the times you wish you were an AMERICAN because that is where justice prevails…..such a pity
MICHAEL ABIODUN
1 January 2009 23:20I am still impressed on how Fashola is handling this case. This Fashola from the above write up seems to be a very honourable man full of knowledge and wisdom.
Now Fashola, how can you extend your hands of generousity to the miscreants in Lagos and also to the Autism Society. I have 3C Autism and Social Support Services rendering social services, pls contact me and let me render my services and let’s help to build Nigeria together to support the autism population.
KEHINDE ABIODUN
CANADA
Niyi
26 June 2009 18:30This is another case of animalistic behavior of the military. Nigerian Military men should asked their foreign counterparts anytime they go for courses abroad the way the military should behave in the society. Nigerian government should please make them understand that Nigeria is no longer bush. They can exercise their animalistic behavior when they get back to the jungle .We hope that one day this people will realise that the whole world is watching them.