A group of soldiers caught on camera torturing a suspected robber at Mararraba, Nasarawa State, will face disciplinary action, the Nigerian Army said minutes ago. In the photograph published on the front page of today’s edition of the Abuja-based Daily Trust newspaper, six soldiers are seen standing by and watching one of their colleagues flogging a civilian, stripped and made to roll on muddy ground close to the gutter, with a big stick. Also watching are some civilians and a policeman.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public that the perpetrators of the offence have been identified, summoned and would face disciplinary action,” Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman said in a statement.

Nasarawa shares boundary with Abuja, the Nigerian capital, and Mararraba is regarded as one of the satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“There is no doubt the photograph has done incalculable damage to the image of the service. The act was unfortunate and at variance with military ethics and professionalism,” Col. Usman said. “We wish to assure the public that the Nigerian Army would continue to protect and respect human rights and that this regrettable incidence should not be used as a yardstick to judge the entire Army,” he added.

•Photo courtesy of Daily Trust shows soldiers punishing the suspected robber . . . last Saturday at Mararaba, Nasarawa State.