A former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), has condemned the act of insulting or physically assaulting military personnel in uniform, describing such behaviour as an offence against the state.
Speaking on Day Two of the 21st Annual Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) at the NAF Centre in Abuja, Irabor emphasised that the uniform worn by members of the Armed Forces represents the authority and dignity of the Nigerian state.
“When you insult or assault a military man in uniform, you are not just disrespecting the officer, you are insulting the state,” he said. “It is even more serious when the officer holds a presidential commiofficer.
Irabor’s remarks appeared to reference the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima.
The retired general noted that even in his position as a former Chief of Defence Staff, he would not have had the liberty to slap or physically engage a soldier, adding that such an act would attract disciplinary measures within the military hierarchy.
Drawing a comparison with other countries, Irabor pointed out that in the United States, for instance, it is considered a criminal offence to insult or attack a uniformed police officer, even in situations where the officer is alleged to have acted improperly.
He urged Nigerians to emulate global standards by showing respect to men and women in uniform who, according to him, “sacrifice daily to protect the sovereignty and stability of the nation.”
