What Will You Do if a Military Officer Slaps Your Spouse in Your Presence? Nigerians Speak

 

Justice must prevail - Crystabel Goddy

For whatsoever reason the officer must have done it, it is an assault on my spouse. However, I will not create a scene because that won’t help solve the matter or make me feel better. There are several ways to go about it and all I know is that in the end, justice must prevail. I can’t tolerate injustice. And it doesn’t have to be assault on my spouse; it could be a friend or colleague. I don’t like being obsessed with power.


I’ll strike back twice - Bobby Michaels

I will retaliate and look forward to the consequences later. I will also not apologise or be scared. I am law-abiding and always avoid their trouble, but if such could happen, then it means such officer has no respect for my spouse and has no respect for the law and the uniform he’s putting on. I will strike him back twice if chanced, but if I am unable to do that, then I will take the matter to the appropriate quarters. Because the truth must be said and we have to wake up and I would not apologise or be scared of the consequences either.

 

I’ll take it up officially - Janet Mba-Afolabi

I will feel very bad about the situation, but I will not create a scene there. I believe there are several ways to address it. Since the officer is subject to the military authorities, I will seek for the matter to be addressed officially by making a formal report to the appropriate quarters. But if they do not react on time, I will get my lawyer involved because it is a case of assault.

 

He must apologise - Ayo Badmus

It has happened to me before and I made sure the officer apologised. If it happens to my wife, I will make sure the officer apologises. I will not fight him because two wrongs cannot make a right. I will give the officer a pep talk on how to treat women because he obviously didn’t know. However, if my wife is the one at fault, she must apologise to the officer.

 
If it’s a female officer, I’ll slap back - Liz Anjorin

I’ll do either of two things: If the military officer who slaps my husband is a female, I’ll slap her back. She cannot go scot-free. How dare she slap my husband in my presence? I’ll even tell my husband to leave the fight for me. But if it’s a male officer, I’ll let my husband handle the matter, though I’ll not encourage him to fight the officer as he may harm him. I’ll just shout at the man and rain abuses on him, but I will not touch his uniform so that he wouldn’t count any charge against me.

 
It’s an opportunity for us to make money - Jonathan Olajide

There is no need to slap back. It’s an opportunity for my spouse and me to make a lot of money in form of damages. I only need to take pictures of the scar the officer must have left on my wife’s face. I will get the officer’s identity, that is, his name and service number. I will also get witnesses immediately. I will take other shots at the scene. And finally, I’ll get a good lawyer to sue the officer for assault and battery, intent to cause injury and attempted murder. This is because a slap from a military officer can result to death or permanent injury.

 
I’ll fight him verbally - Olawunmi Oyedotun

Something would have led to the officer slapping my husband. Whatever it is, I will be shocked by his action. If he does not hold a gun, I will fight him verbally. I will respect his uniform, so I will not touch him. However, I will make sure I tell him to his face he should learn to use his position to do good and not abuse his power. This scenario is rampant in our society and it needs to be looked into. Military officers often believe they can do anything and go scot free, which is not good.

 
I won’t take it easy - Gboyega Oloniyo

In such a situation, I’ll feel angry and would like to slap back, but I will restrain myself. Such a slap is not only an injury to my spouse, but to me also. I’ll calm down my spouse first, then take up the matter legally and ensure that justice is done. Whether a man is a military officer or a civilian, it is very wrong to slap a woman, either in the closet or in public.

 
I’ll keep calm - Joy Tambou

It is wrong, both morally and legally, for the officer to have slapped my spouse. I will feel very bad, but there is nothing I can do other than keep calm, or else he might also beat me up because in the Nigerian system as it is, our human rights laws are still weak. Some people may create scenes, but I will not do that. I will only try to find out the name and rank of the military personnel, and then I will take it up from there.

 
I’ll make sure the officer is dismissed - Opeyemi Samuel

I’ll get the officer’s name and rank, pick my phone and call my lawyer and sue him for assault. I’ll demand just N20m as damages. If he wants us to settle out of court, I will ask for N10m. I’m not doing this because I need his money because he may not even be able to afford it. But I’ll make sure I frustrate him to let him know his action was wrong. I will do everything possible to have him dismissed from the Force. But if I can’t get his name and rank, I won’t allow him to go. I will create a scene. However, if my wife is at fault in this matter, I will keep calm and let the matter go.

 

Credit: PUNCH