12 November 2008
editorial
Last week Monday, on Muri Okunola street, Victoria Island, Lagos, one Miss Uzoma Okere was beaten up and had her dress shredded by Naval ratings detailed to Rear Admiral Henry Arogundade.
Her offence was that she did not give free access to the convoy of the Admiral to pass. So severe was the beating that Miss Okere had to be treated in a hospital for wounds and bruises sustained. Naval authorities claimed that the beating was due to the attitude of Miss Okere who snatched the horsewhip from one of the Ratings. She has denied doing such a thing, noting that only a "mad man would attack an armed person".
Without mincing words, subjecting a fellow citizen to severe physical molestation on account of her not giving way for an admiral's convoy to pass is callous, barbaric and a display of unnecessary high handedness. The Navy, at least in popular imagination, is thought to be the most civil and therefore most friendly of the three arms of the military. In the heydays of military rule when this sort of incident was rampant, it was mostly the handiwork of army men. It is regrettable that at a time when it is thought this sort of molestation has been put behind us for good, the arm of the military seen to be the most polished in its relations with the civil society is now found wanting. The Naval authorities have a lot of work to do with the way the rank and file relate to the society. Pummeling innocent motorists on a public highway for not getting out of the way quickly enough is certainly not the best advertisement for the navy. It was not acceptable during the military rule days, it is even less so now when more genteel and cultured ethos are demanded, after all we are in democratic era.
Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade's attitude when the whole sordid affair was brought to his knowledge was unfortunate. Rather than empathize with Miss Okere for her ordeal, he told her that she was lucky to still be alive and in one piece and promptly dispatched her to the hospital. Are we to understand that the punishment meted out to Miss Okere is standard for anyone foolish enough not to give right of way to some uppity military officer? As a father, if he is one, he should have been much more remorseful and palliative to the poor woman. Surely, attitude like this can only portray those in ranking military level as a law unto themselves, who think nothing of snuffing life out of their fellow citizens. This mentality is wrong and the military should not harbor people like that in its midst.
President Umar Yar' adua has called for a detailed investigation into the affair and the report be submitted to him soonest. The order is timely and it shows sensitivity but while the report is being awaited the Armed Forces should begin to re- examine the attitude of its rank and file to other members of the society. Brutal and callous response in the face of provocation is a reflection of the inadequacy of the training and the mind set the Armed Forces impart on the members. The tendency to see members of the public as enemies that must be vanquished is wrong and should be wiped out of the system. The starting point to effect this is by instituting its own investigations in to the matter and anyone found wanting dealt with accordingly. Ratings that derive masochistic pleasure in inflicting pain on their fellow citizens at the least prompting should have no business in the disciplined forces. Self restraint, after all is an essential ingredient of being disciplined.
On her part Miss Okere should exercise her option to seek redress in the law court for the assault on her. For her and indeed for everyone, the courts remain our defense against arrogant, mindless and arbitrary display of impunity.
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how long is it going to take for us to get to the bottom of this. i see some delay tactics here where the whole incident will be forgotten and swept under the carpet. justice delayed is justice denied. it is not enough for the president to call for an investigation, no! there's no need for investigation....the video clip says it all. what we want is the appearance of the stupid admiral and his boys in court with the judge pronouncing their appropriate jail terms