Sowore Reacts As Female Soldier Is Detained For Accepting Marriage Proposal

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has reacted to the decision of the Nigerian Army to detain a female soldier, Akinlabi Sofiyat, for accepting a marriage proposal from a male corps member.

Ezenwoko’s Blog had earlier reported that the spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu while confirming that the soldier has now been detained, explained that the soldier went against extant military laws which bans the public display of romantic relationship with a paramilitary trainee, a corps member.

Sowore in his reaction noted that there are numerous examples of male military officers proposing to their girlfriends and not been detained by the army.

The activist who further stated that the military officer did not commit any infraction, alleged that army authorities have denied Sofiyat access to members of her family and refused to provide her with food, sanitary materials and medical care.

He wrote, “#FreeSofiat NOW: Numerous examples of HQ Nigerian Army male soldiers proposing to their girlfriends in uniform. The chauvinism in the military is sickening.

“#FreeSofiat The HQ Nigerian Army authorities have denied Army Private Akinlabi Sofiyat access to members of her family and refused to provide her with food, sanitary materials and medical care. She’s detained under unhealthy conditions in a “guardroom” reported meant for male soldiers at Sobi Military Cantonment in Ilorin, Kwara State.

“Her Commanding officer, Brigadier General AE Abubakar is threatening to send her to an underground cell at the @HQ Nigerian Army dungeon at the Army HQ in Abuja!

“Pte Sofiyat Akinlabi must be released immediately. #RevolutionNow.”

Sowore also shared a SITREP from the NYSC Camp Commandant stating what happened. He wrote, “#FreeSofiat: We now have a copy of the SITREP from the Camp Commandant stating what happened and it is clear that Sofiat committed no infraction or offence to warrant her detention. She even isolated herself to respectfully get her Marriage Proposal done. Detaining her is unacceptable and the HQ Nigerian Army must release her and apologise for infringing on her fundamental rights.

“From: Nysc Orientation Camp Yikpata, Kwara State

“To: Office Of The Dg Nysc

“Info: Hq 22 Bde

“Text: Special Sitrep (.) Sitrep As At15o600a Dec 21(.) One(.) Camp Act(.) Pop Of Bath C Streem Ii And Deployment (.) Subject Took Place At About 131400a Dec 21(.) The State. Coord Who Rep The Dg Nysc Passed Out Cms(.) Cms Left The To Their Ppa(.) The Ex Was Hitch Free(.) Two(.) Viral Video Of Cm Proposing To A Female Soldier (.) The Soldier Have Been Identified And She In The Custody Of 22 Bde Cmm Undergoing Investigation (.) The Incident Happened While The Pop Was Ongoing At A Time When State Coordinator Cmm Camp Comdt And All The Drill Instroctors Were Busy At The Pde Ground She Conspicuously Isolated Herself And Other Cms In Mamy Market And Carry Out The Act Without The Concent Of Any Soldier (.) Other Info (.) Tps And Nysc Officials Rtu At About 1530hrs(.) Gen Sy Within Own Camp Remains Cool Calm(.) Pse Ack///Mm Abdullahi Capt, Camp Comdt.”

Sowore while calling for her release wrote, “#FreeSofiat HQ Nigerian Army is illegally holding Army Private Hannah Sofiat A, her offence was accepting a marriage proposal from her National Youth Corps Service(NYSC) lover at a Mammy Market in Ilorin. No law prevents anyone from accepting a marriage proposal in military uniform but as it is typical of the pre-civilization Nigerian military she was clamped into detention at Sobi Military Cantonment in Ilorin, Kwara state.

“The Nigerian military must release Sofiat asap and apologise to her for illegal detention. #RevolutionNow”

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