Ebonyi govt. to rehabilitate physically-challenged man assaulted by soldiers

Soldiers molesting physically challenged man in Anambra
Soldiers molesting physically challenged man in Anambra

The Ebonyi State government says it has taken steps to rehabilitate a physically-challenged man who was brutally assaulted by soldiers in Onitsha, Anambra State, for wearing military uniform.

Chijioke Oratu, crippled in both legs, was viciously beaten and kicked by two armed soldiers after being dragged off his wheel chair, as shocked onlookers stood by helplessly.

The video of the attack, apparently captured by a bystander, went viral on social media, sparking outrage.

The Nigerian Army announced on Friday that the assailants had been identified and arrested.

Spokesperson Sani Usman, a Brigadier General, said in a statement the culprits, Bature Samuel and Abdulazeez Usman, who were both corporals, had been demoted to privates and imprisoned for 21 days with hard labour.

They are to also forfeit their pay for the 21 days.

The Ebonyi government said the victim, Mr. Oratu, a native of state, would be given medical attention and rehabilitated.

A statement by Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Bernard Odoh, said the attack was “regrettable”.

“Two errant soldiers, acting outside orders, evidently took laws and liberty into their hands and assaulted the said Mr. Oratu on the pretext that he was dressed in military fatigues,” the statement said.

The statement said the government was “deeply dismayed and disappointed by such reprehensible and needless physical and psychological humiliation of a hapless citizen and regrets the trauma caused his family and government of Ebonyi state and onlookers in a society that he has laboured to clear of such inhumanities and violence.”

“The state government has contacted the victim with a view to rehabilitating him in line with the governor’s policy to evacuate Ebonyians hawking and engaging in less dignifying businesses across the country,” it said.

The governor, according to the statement, has directed that immediate medical attention and social welfare be provided for Mr. Oratu.

He also directed that the welfare package of empowerment rolled out by the state government be extended to him.

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  • Arabakpura

    I will excuse the Ebonyi government as they may just have learnt that he is an indigene of their state! I was appalled at the time it took the Anambra government to react! However, it may be God’s designed way for light to shine on the poor cripple!

    • Otile

      The Federal government should take care of this man because the soldiers are federal employees. The Federal troops are not doing any good/favor wherever they are deployed in SE SS. They are there as vandals and parasites waiting to invade the two zone whenever their brainless commander orders them. They are not friends of SE SS as this tragedy has shown. The creeps are a disgrace to what people know as military.

  • Glad to know help has now come this poor citizen’s way. I really hope the people charged with the responsibility of helping this man don’t divert the goodies to themselves, leaving the poor man destitute still.

  • marc umeh

    NO ——–charity is not enough. That man should go to court. He has been emotionally traumatized , dehumanized by people who are supposed to protect him . His human right has been grossly violated. He health may yet be effected.
    He should not accept crumps in the name of social welfare. Nigerian govt that unleach such individuals on society must pay and pay big time.

    • Otile

      If he was a Northerner the Federal government would do something for him. Again, if he was was a Northerner the soldiers would not abuse him that way. Remember the soldiers are Northerners who are operating in SE SS trying to provoke a war to kill people and steal oil.

  • JasV

    How do we prevent this ever happening again? Must people most especially the disadvantaged in our society make themselves available for soldiers to beat, rape or even steal their belongings before they get attention?

  • paul irumundomon

    We talk about looting and stealing, the brutality from men and women in uniform, against inocent Nigerians are worse. These are people, who many got their promotions, from the gang organizations and family connections in Nigeria, and not through excellence.
    We all see it every day, Mr. A get employed 1999, and Mr. B get the same employment in 1999, same year and month. In 20 years, Mr. A is an officer, and Mr. B turned body gaurd to Mr. A, that is one of many wars, Nigerians without connections, go through daily in that backward nation.
    Same every where, you see workers. To take our nation back, we must all put our lives on the line, no other nation, can assist us.

  • Delta_Quagmire

    Where are the Yoroba defenders of evil Buhari on this issue?

    • AlBsure23

      What has Yoruba people got to do with this news? Please shun ethnic hatred. It is killing Nigeria.