In the spirit of the Christmas season, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Faruq Yahaya, wants a female soldier who publicly accepted the proposal of a male youths corps member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kwara State to be pardoned, it was learnt.

PRNigeria learnt from credible sources in the Nigerian military that Gen. Yahaya, in the last few days, made overtures to the leadership of the Nigerian armed forces, requesting that the soldier be pardoned.

However, the COAS maintained that the erring soldier should be strongly reprimanded against engaging in any kind of act that contravenes the military code of conduct for its officers and men, the sources said.

The Military authority has considered the appeal of the Army Chief and ordered the release of the soldier to enjoy Christmas with family and friends.

Recalled that a video of a male corps member proposing to a female soldier at the Yikpata Orientation Camp of the NYSC in Kwara State recently surfaced online and went viral.

In one of the video clips, some corps members are seen having a discussion at a venue believed to be the parade ground of the orientation camp.

The discussion is still on when the yet-to-be-identified corps member, who is seen holding a ring, goes down on one knee and pops the question to the soldier with the lady accepting the proposal.

The corps member goes on to insert the ring in the finger of the visibly excited soldier amid cheers from others at the scene.

In another clip, the pair are seen sharing lovey-dovey moments. The corps member is seen wearing the lady’s military cap as she stands directly behind him.

They thereafter share a kiss to the delight of other corps members filming the incident.

There were reports after the incident that the soldier was detained by the Army, an action that received wide condemnation on social media.

However, aside public ‘outrage’ over the action of the Nigerian military, PRNigeria gathered that Lt. Gen. Yahaya’s ‘appeal for mercy’ for the female soldier, may not be unconnected with the fact that the Christmas season presents an opportunity for persons who erred to be given clemency.

“The COAS, in his wisdom, believes that the young female soldier will retrace her steps and show remorse for engaging in acts that negates military ethical codes, by the time she is pardoned and forgiven. Hence, he has been appealing for her to be pardoned. This is what he has been doing behind the scene, in the last few days,” said a senior military officer, who does not want PRNigeria to mention his name.

When contacted, the Army Spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu told PRNigeria that, the soldier would be released on Christmas Day.

“I can confirm to you that an order has been made for the soldier to be freed and enjoy the Christmas with her family and friends with a serious warning for her not to repeat such act again,” he said.

COAS orders release of detained romantic soldier

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has ordered the immediate release of a detained female soldier, Hannah Sofiat.

Sofiat had accepted a marriage proposal from a male corps member at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara.

However, a military source told our correspondent on Saturday that the Chief of Army staff had intervened and asked that she should be pardoned.

The source at Army Headquarters said that the COAS took the decision in the spirit of Christmas.

The source said that the female soldier had been warned and reprimanded for breaching the extant rule guiding the conduct of military personnel.

He said that the soldier had been forgiven and freed from detention to join her family and friends to celebrate Christmas.

According to the source, this is in line with the COAS vision to have a Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria.

Sofiat had earlier been detained for violating military rules and regulations by getting involved in a public display of an amorous relationship with a paramilitary trainee – a corps member.

She was detained after video clips where she was seen accepting a marriage proposal from a male corps member at the NYSC orientation camp in Kwara, which went viral on social media.

Her detention had however elicited reactions from Nigerians who believed she should not be denied the right to love.

Several groups and individuals have been urging the Nigerian Army authority to release the female soldier.

The source told The PUNCH, “The Chief of Army staff has intervened in the matter. He asked that she should be pardoned. The military authorities have considered the plea of the COAS and said she be released forthwith. Before the end of the day, she should have reunited with her family. ”

When contacted, the Army Spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the development.

He said, “What you are being told is correct.”

EmptyGarden:
This one don learn lesson... If she take eye see wetin resemble ring next time, na fence she go fly escape.

Freestainworld:
Babe no even do anything, marriage na bad thing?

dre11:
Xmas Spirit: Army Chief, Gen. Yahaya, Seeks Pardon for ‘Romantic Female Soldier’ who fell in love with NYSC Corper


… Female Soldier to Enjoy Chrismas with Family, Friends



https://prnigeria.com/2021/12/25/army-chief-romantic-soldier/

na2016:


I think she did something wrong. That guy was her trainee and was still in camp. I assume there wouldn't have been an issue if this was after the Camp and outside her official duty.