- New rule spells out terms of relationship with subordinates and their spouses, joining secret societies, accepting gifts, et al
The reviewed Harmonised Terms and Condition of Service (HTACOS) assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on December 16 2024 has banned members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) from participating in activities and lifestyle associated with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) group.
The new rules on homosexuality is not new to Nigeria as the nation’s laws already criminalises homosexuality and frowns upon other activities of the LGBTQIA2S+ group.
The new rule also bans military personnel from cross-dressing, tattooing, body piercing, disorderly behaviour, and drunkenness when on or off duty.
Section 26 of the revised HTACOS partly states: “An officer must not engage in homosexuality, lesbianism, and bestiality.
“He/she is not to belong to or engage in activities of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) group and cross-dressing, amongst others.
“An officer must not engage in body piercing and tattooing of any part of his body. An officer shall not engage in any form of disorderly behaviour, brawl, or any action of public disgrace. An officer must not at any time be drunk whether on or off duty.”
The new HTACOS also restates that involvement of officers in amorous relationships with subordinates or their spouses is forbidden.
“An officer shall not engage in any amorous relationship with any soldier/rating/airman/airwoman, fellow officer’s or soldier’s/rating’s/airmen’s/air women’s spouse, “ it stated.
The military personnel are obligated to pay financial dues, including vehicle licenses and insurance on time, while they are prohibited from joining secret societies or political parties.
“An officer shall pay all just financial obligations in a proper and timely manner, especially those imposed by law and mutual contract. It is a very serious offence for an officer to be apprehended for failure to license or insure his vehicle, and other legal financial obligations. In the same vein, the issuance of a dud cheque constitutes an offence.
The document read further, “An officer shall not hold membership of any secret society or political party. He shall not participate, in any way, in activities concerned with such societies or parties even in observatory capacities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, since cultural or purely traditional religious societies are not normally secret by membership or in the conduct of their affairs, they are ipso-facto excluded from belonging to secret societies.”
Having a private business, and misuse of government property for personal gain are also prohibited for serving personnel.
“An officer shall not engage in private business. He shall not use or be allowed to use government property, his name, position and connection in any way with commercial enterprises outside employment or activity with or without compensation, which interfere or has the tendency of interfering with his official duty or which may be reasonably expected to bring discredit to the Service.
“An officer shall not accept gifts, favours, entertainments, etc, from officers junior to him in rank or from soldiers/ratings/airmen/airwomen,” the condition of service added.
The punishments or disciplinary measures against any personnel who violate the rules were, however, not stated.
