Soldier detained for molesting, shaving pastor’s hair in Delta
A soldier attached to the 3 Battalion, Effunrun, Delta State, is facing disciplinary action for allegedly maltreating a clergyman, Felix Omas.
The soldier was said to have been arrested for detaining the victim and shaving off his hair.
According to Omas, the soldier, one of those stationed to guard a check point on Alegbor Road, Effurun, had on Monday stopped a tricycle he had boarded. He said one of the soldiers stationed at the check point ordered him to disembark from the vehicle and sit on the bare floor.
He (the soldier) later procured a scissors with which he shaved his hair.
He added that he had no choice, especially as his molester had a gun ready with which he threatened to shoot him.
Omas, who took his case to the Warri Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, said, “I was driving in my SUV, but due to the traffic situation, I boarded a tricycle. The soldiers stopped our tricycle
as we were coming from Alegbor, forcibly seated me on the ground as one of them pulled a scissors and stroke three ugly cuts on my hair, saying my hairstyle violates their rules.”
Reports, however, indicate that the offending soldier has been arrested and detained.
In his reaction, the National Coordinator, Centre for the Vulnerable and the Under Privileged, Oghenejabor Ikimi, said the soldier’s action was “inhuman and degrading.”
“I will take the Army to court to enforce the Pastor’s human rights. This will serve as deterrent to other gun trotting uniform personnel who sees civilians as non humans. No security can be done without consideration for human rights,” he said.
