The Nigerian Army has described as malicious and misleading, reports linking some of its personnel with the torturing of one Citizen Christian Ehima to death in Edo State.

The Army said it is a professional force with the utmost respect for the sanctity of human life and zero tolerance for infringement on the rights of the citizenry. 

Nigeria Army authorities expressed its sympathy to the family of the deceased but also said it prefers to set the records straight and also put the facts in proper perspectives.

According to the Army statement, it said credible evidences indicate that "Christian Ehima wandered into a military check point at Wire–Ake in Edo State, on the 10th of December, 2021, without his clothes on, and was halted by Soldiers on duty."

"He was interrogated but could not say anything meaningful on where he was coming from or heading. His behaviour was rather weird and indicative of one who was obviously under some sort of influence. 

"The Guard Commander, who observed his abnormal behavior immediately requested for his phone in an effort to contact any of his relations, friends or associates. Shortly afterwards, a call came through to his phone and the caller identified herself as his mother. The soldier invited her to pick up her son, who was still very agitated and unstable. 

"Subsequently, the woman arrived the scene and identified herself as his mother and a Police Officer. She was briefed about her son’s observed abnormal behaviour. In her conversation with the Soldiers, she attributed her son's weird behaviour to influence of alcohol. 

"The Soldiers however, maintained, that whatever was responsible for Christian's behaviour at that time, was way beyond alcoholism. On sighting his mother, his behavior aggravated. Thereafter, some passerby were mobilized to help her take him to the hospital.  

"It is also important to state that the incident was recorded both on video and audio, showing the behaviour of Christian Ehima and his mother commending the Soldiers for their kind intervention. The evidence, including audio recordings of the police officer and her son are attached. 

The military authorities said it is quite stunning and unfortunate that an unfortunate incident which took place in public can be maliciously and falsely reported in the social media, without recourse to what really transpired on the said date. 

The Nigeria Army therefore urged the general public to disregard the manipulative, misguided information. It said it was an unsuccessful attempt to bring the name of a professional institution to disrepute. 

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