The Nigerian Army has said that the unnamed female soldier who got romantically entangled with a male National Youth Service corps member at the Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara State, will be penalized for violating military rules and regulations.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known on Sunday.
He said the female officer violated military laws by getting involved in a public display of amorous relationship with a paramilitary trainee – a corps member.
Nwachukwu said the female soldier’s action amounted to taking advantage of her trainee, noting that the public would have been outraged and accused the Army of coercion had a male soldier proposed to a female corper during the NYSC parade.
He said, “The female soldier in question violated the following rules of the NA: fraternisation while on official duty at the NYSC camp. That is, indulging in an amorous relationship with a trainee.
“Personnel must have served for three years before he/she can qualify for marriage.
“She disobeyed the Armed Forces of Nigeria standing guidelines and directives for the use of Social Media. Indulging in romance while in uniform.
“Her conduct was prejudicial to good order and military discipline.
“All the above, if proven are in violation of extant laws with attendant disciplinary and penal implications.
“As a personnel, her task was to train the Youth Corps members and not to indulge in amorous relationship with any of them. These rules were put in place for the purpose of proper administration and discipline in the Army. If I may ask, what if the soldier was a male? How would the public have perceived his action? Definitely, it would have been perceived as taking advantage of a female Corper, a trainee, put in his care for training.”
However, the army spokesman did not comment on the likely punishment the female soldier will face.