In a swift response to the alleged maltreatment of civilian staff at Command Secondary School, Ipaja, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.
Army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this afternoon that in response to recent concerns raised by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) regarding the treatment of civilian workers at Command Secondary School Iyana Ipaja, Lt. General Lagbaja has taken decisive action to address the situation.
According to General Nwachukwu, the Chief of Army Staff, in his unwavering commitment to upholding the rights of all personnel, including civilian staff, has directed the Provost Marshal (Army) to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident at Command Secondary School, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
“The investigation will comprehensively address all allegations raised by the ASCSN, with a focus on ensuring accountability and justice for all parties involved.
“The Nigerian Army (NA) recognizes the vital role that civilian staff play in supporting its operations and day-to-day administration and is therefore dedicated to fostering a positive and respectful working environment for all personnel.
“While acknowledging that misunderstandings or miscommunication may occur, the ongoing investigation aims to provide clarity and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“The NA is committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the rights of all its employees, including the fundamental rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
“Currently, the NA is actively engaging with the Ministry of Defence and the ASCSN to address any outstanding issues and promote a cordial working relationship and industrial harmony. The NA strongly believes that open communication and collaboration are key to resolving challenges and is fully committed to maintaining these principles.
“As the investigation progresses, the NA urges all parties to refrain from making premature judgments or spreading misinformation. Trust in the process is essential, and the NA is confident that the investigation will provide a clear and accurate understanding of the situation to facilitate appropriate and fair actions. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all stakeholders as we diligently work to address these concerns.”
The civilian staff of the Ministry of Defence, under the umbrella of the Joint Executive Council, had shut down the headquarters of the ministry for several hours in Abuja over the alleged brutalisation of their members by soldiers.
The President of the Council, Didam Joel, said a civilian staff member of the ministry has been detained for a month by military authorities, even though he is not a military personnel.
Joel added that an assistant director of the ministry working at Command Secondary School, Ojo, in Lagos, was equally brutalised yesterday without recourse to civil service rules
