RECENTLY, tragedy struck as a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) cadet identified as Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyeomereneche reportedly died in the swimming pool of a hotel, Damgrete Hotel, in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. The deceased, who was reportedly scheduled for graduation from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in only a few months, had reportedly visited the hotel with friends and decided to use the swimming pool. According to reports, the facility was undergoing renovation at the time, and it was not clear if the victim, who was found in his swimming trunks, was informed about the renovation exercise before he dived into the pool. His body was later retrieved by men of the Abia State fire service and he was confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. The 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, and the Navy formation in the state were notified of the incident while the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Maureen Chinaka, said that investigation was ongoing on the case. However, things took yet another tragic turn as some personnel of the Nigerian Army allegedly tortured one Achimugu James Etubi, the head of the food and beverage department of the hotel, to death at their barracks. The rampaging soldiers were said to have visited the hotel and whisked the manager away.
Instructively, though, the Nigerian Army responded swiftly to the incident, declaring that any of its personnel found culpable in the death of the manager would face the full wrath of the law. Director of Army Public Relations, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement: “The Nigerian Army (NA) is deeply concerned by the alleged unprofessional conduct of some of its personnel in the tragic death of a hotel manager in Umuahia, Abia State, as reported in some online media. In response to this unfortunate incident, the Chief of Army Staff promptly ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts and bring to book, anyone found culpable. The NA extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased manager, Mr Achimugu James Etubi and the Nigerian Air Force Officer, Cadet Emmanuel Chidiebere Onyemereche, and assures the public that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is served. The Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline and, therefore, any personnel found culpable of wrongdoing will face appropriate legal sanctions. Furthermore, the NA reaffirms its unwavering dedication to safeguarding the security of all citizens.”
While the statement by the Nigerian Army is reassuring, it is distressing that it had to be issued at all. Yes, the army authorities have done the right thing in this case, but it is quite unfortunate that the death of a military cadet which is under investigation by the police has led to the death of yet another person. In civilised societies, the proper thing to do is to investigate such incidents and file charges against those found culpable, if only to serve as a deterrent to those inclined to act in the same reprehensible manner. If truly the swimming pool in question was undergoing renovation and the managers of the hotel did not inform the deceased of this potentially life-threatening development, then they have a case to answer, and it is the duty of the police to file charges accordingly. Indeed, the hotel could also be sealed off until investigations have been concluded in the matter. Sadly, while the culpability or innocence of the hotel managers in question have not been established, soldiers affiliated with the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army allegedly went on the rampage, ostensibly in retaliation for what they perceived as the killing of a military person.
Surely, the culture of brute retaliation each time military personnel die has to stop. It is a dastardly practice that should have no place in a democracy. In any case, there is no evidence to justify the assumption that members of the civil populace support the killing of soldiers or men and women of the paramilitary agencies under any guise. For instance, when some outlaws murdered officers and men of the Nigerian Army in Okuama, Delta State, recently, Nigerians rose in swift condemnation of the incident and called for the arrest of the perpetrators, and have not risen in condemnation of the military even in the face of reports that it has carried out extrajudicial killings in the area. The idea of descending heavily on civilians, torturing and killing them instead of seeking their prosecution in the court of law for whatever offences they are alleged to have committed is rooted in superiority complex fostered by the long years of military rule and brutal suppression of the civilian populace. This culture has to be confronted and defeated with the resources of the Nigerian State. It is not the place of soldiers, or indeed any group of persons, no matter how powerful, to accuse people of murder and mete out punishment. Democracy is imperiled when uniformed (wo)men become self-constituted courts of law and pronounce judgment on convicts.
We commiserate with the NAF and the family and friends of Cadet Onyeomereneche and Manager Etubi and call on the police to carry out a thorough and dispassionate investigation into the incidents. In the same vein, we call on the NA authorities to walk their talk and ensure that justice is done. That way, they would have shown the bad eggs within the military that there is no alternative to the rule of law.
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