The Nigerian Army says it will not compromise discipline and professionalism such as its relationship with members of the civil society remains cordial.

Brig.-Gen. Abel Umahi, the Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin, made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Benin on Saturday.

Umahi said that the involvement of the military in quelling internal civil strife and criminality was part of its responsibilities, contrary to the views held in some quarters that it was an aberration.

“The relationship between officers, soldiers of the command and members of the civil society is fantastic. We have no bone to grind at all.

“Though there may have been some minor cases of civil restiveness, the command has often left the lower authority to deal with them as they occur.”

He said that the army had convened a court martial in Ibadan to handle such cases because the force expected its officers and soldiers to remain professional and disciplined.

“As we speak, some persons are facing various offences for one infraction or the other. We don’t put these ones in the press or in the public domain.

“But our regime of sanctions to discourage indiscipline and actions that bother on poor regimentation is still in focus.

“We are very strong when it comes to discipline and professionalism.

“People who have gone contrary to the norms, ethics and values of the profession are right now before the court marshals as we speak.’’

Asked if the involvement of the command in crime prevention and other civil disobedience was not a distraction, he said: “obviously not; by our training, we are prepared to handle any situation.

“And in this case, we are only assisting other sister security agencies, without loosing sight of our primary role,’’ he said.