The Nigerian Army has apprehended a soldier who publicly criticized Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state in a widely circulated video.
The announcement was made by Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, who emphasized that the soldier’s behavior does not reflect the overall conduct of the Nigerian Army.
The incident stems from Governor Sanwo-Olu’s order on January 2nd to arrest a soldier and several commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) for violating traffic rules on the Lagos-Badagry expressway. In response, an unidentified soldier expressed dissent in a video, condemning the governor for allegedly labeling a fellow soldier as “useless” in the presence of civilians.
Addressing the issue on Tuesday, Chief of Army Staff Lagbaja clarified that several viral videos depicting soldiers criticizing the Lagos state governor were fabricated, asserting that only one genuine video was investigated. The implicated soldier has since been apprehended.
Highlighting the Army’s commitment to discipline and professionalism, Lagbaja mentioned that steps have been taken to educate soldiers on appropriate conduct in the various localities where they are deployed. This development signals the military’s determination to uphold standards and maintain a positive image despite isolated incidents of dissent.
