The Bridge Commander in charge of 14 Brigade Ohafia, Brigadier General Olusola Diya has emphasized that soldiers must not engage in the torture of civilians based on their choice of dreadlocks.
Speaking at the 33rd edition of a social media seminar held in Aba, Abia State, Diya urged the public to promptly report any instances of mistreatment by military personnel targeting individuals with dreadlocks.
Diya underscored that there is no legal prohibition against sporting dreadlocks, asserting that it is a matter of personal choice.
While he acknowledged the unfortunate association between internet fraudsters and the hairstyle, he firmly stated that it is a violation of people’s rights for soldiers to unjustly target innocent citizens solely based on their hairstyle.
The Brigade Commander issued a stern warning, stating that severe penalties would be imposed on any military personnel found guilty of harassing commuters at checkpoints on the grounds of having dreadlocks.
This uncompromising stance reinforces the military’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals within the communities they serve.