THE WORST OF BOTH WORLDS

Some months ago, I was privileged to sit in on a radio session at Unilag FM 103.1 when a story about the Youth Corper who was assaulted by a female soldier came up. I heared people asking why she did not defend herself or fight back. While we may never fully know what transpired between the two, I believe the video is enough evidence for people to develop opinions from. I want to look at this from the officer's two worlds: her being a woman and an army officer. I think it is safe to say that some women, especially those in positions of authority, are seen to be ruthless, unfeeling, unkind and just plain mean. I've heard countless stories of the bullying and verbal abuse that female bosses inflict on their subordinates in workplaces. Some people say this is because women have it hard competing with their male counterparts when climbing up the corporate ladder, so they feel they have to display a hard and aggressive attitude, so they are not taken for granted. They portray what is called toxic masculinity.

Most military officials-men and women alike- in Nigeria are power-drunk. The government has failed to hold these officers accountable in the past, therefore indirectly probing them to continue in these acts whichever way they choose. Like other cases involving the Nigerian Army, this case does not seem to be a huge concern to the Federal Government as there are hardly records of perpetrators being brought to book. All this is a result of a system that has failed. Instead of maintaining law and order, they have been at the centre of a lot of chaos happening in the country. When I see an armed officer, I no longer hold them in high esteem or give them my respect. I see them as one of our biggest problems and other times as the enemy.