COAS pardons romantic female soldier in spirit of Christmas

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has pardoned the romantic female soldier, Hannah Sofiat, ordering her immediate release.

A male National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member had proposed to Sofiat at the Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara. Sofiat, had happily accepted the proposal and a video of the proposal had gone viral. Many Nigerians had congratulated the intending couple while some asked whether the military rules and code of conduct allowed such.

Unfortunately, Sofiat was detained shortly after for violating military rules and regulations by getting involved in a public display of an amorous relationship with a paramilitary trainee(the corps member).

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However, her detention sparked a debate from Nigerians with many who believed she had the right to love. As a result, many appeals had been made by individuals and groups to the military for Sofiat’s release.

In the spirit of Christmas, the Chief of Army staff had reportedly intervened and asked for Sofiat’s pardon after the latter had been warned and reprimanded for breaching the extant rule guiding the conduct of military personnel, The Punch reports.

According to the report, Sofiat had been forgiven and freed from detention, 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, to enable join her family and friends to celebrate Christmas.