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I’ve battled in vain to overcome trauma —Ex-youth corps member dehumanised by female army officer

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Four months after she was reportedly humiliated by a female military officer, Lieutenant Chika Viola Anele, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Calabar, Ifeyinwa Ezeiruaku Fidelis is yet to get justice.

The Nigerian Army has neither propitiated her nor sanctioned the erring officer. The victim says she has been battling with acute trauma, which she says has continued to impact negatively on her daily life. INNOCENT DURU asks how long it would take the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government to act on the case that has attracted negative global attention to the country.

FEYINWA Ezeiruaku Fidelis, the ex-youth corps member whose video trended recently for being brutalised by a female army officer, remains yet heartbroken, having battled in vain to overcome the trauma that derived from the incident.

Like a fish out of water, she has been left psychologically and emotionally traumatized as she wonders why the nation she had gone to serve would abandon her to her fate and leave her to lick her wounds.

The distraught University of Lagos alumnus told The Nation during the week that the trauma has impacted so greatly on her that she finds it difficult to sleep.

“At times I remember it in my sleep and I wake up. When this happens, I play with my phone for some time before I would doze off again. I had to see a therapist and have done the test she asked me to do and submitted it to her. She said she would get back to me,” she said.

Despite having met a therapist, Ifeyinwa says life has not been the same for her.

She said: “I have not been feeling so easy with myself as somebody that was brutalised in that manner. I am still trying to gather myself together. At times, I do feel it all happened because I allowed her to do that to me. On the other hand, I wonder why I didn’t fight back.

“Those kinds of things keep coming back to me. My people have been telling me to let go so that I would live my normal life. Even the therapist I met told me to shake it off myself and I would get better. She said that is how it normally disturbs people but with time, I would be okay.”

She noted that one of the terrible effects the incident has had on her is that she has withdrawn into her cocoon.

She said: “I have been staying on my own so that I don’t get insulted or bullied. I am trying to be calm. I don’t talk to people and I stay on my own. I don’t get involved with people and I don’t want to be exposed easily.

“I have been reading a lot of things people said about me online. Some are saying that I am stupid others are saying that I am stubborn. In short, different kinds of insult. You know how some Nigerians talk.

“Some of the comments are on my side while some others are not. I kind of think about it. I am not my normal self but I am trying to gather myself together.”

After the incident, Ifeyinwa had been asked by the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to leave Calabar where she was serving her fatherland for security reasons.

She had barely a few weeks to end the programme when the incident occurred. Her batch of NYSC members completed their service year in October.

Asked if she had been given her discharge certificate by the NYSC, Ifeyinwa said she had not, adding: “There was a time they (NYSC) invited me to come for my certificate in Abuja but my parents were scared. They said I wouldn’t go for now. Everybody around me was scared of letting me go, so I am yet to collect it.

“It is not that they didn’t want to give me my certificate. They called me to come for it, but my parents said they were scared and could not allow me to go.”

Aside from reports of a tacit apology and condemnation of the incident by the military authorities, Ifeyinwa said the Nigerian Army was yet to reach out to her with a view to assuaging her trauma.

She said: “The military has not called me since then to say anything. I am not aware if they have done anything to the woman. I don’t know anything.

“I am not searching for work yet. I am still taking my time. By next year, I will go into that one (searching for a job) properly. My lawyer is handling my case pro bono (without charges).”

The army had said it was embarrassed by the incident and apologised for it.

Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, had said in a statement: “The Nigerian Army wishes to tender unreserved apology to the victim, her family members, friends, National Youth Service Corps and to Nigerians in general for the unwholesome treatment meted out to the corps member.”

Nwachukwu, a Brigadier-General, said the erring officer had been identified and would be “made to undergo regimental orders (trial) in line with the extant provisions of the Armed Forces”.

“This act is not only condemnable but unprofessional and against established precepts of discipline in the Nigerian Army,” he added.

The Nation

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Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim

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A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.

 

One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.

 

Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.

 

In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”

 

He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.

 

“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.

 

He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.

 

The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.

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How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.

 

Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.

 

The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.

 

Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.

 

Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.

 

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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.

 

The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.

 

According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

 

The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.

 

“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.

 

The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.

 

Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.

 

The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.

 

“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.

 

The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”

 

It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.

 

JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.

 

 

 

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