The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has announced that the Nigerian Army has apprehended the soldier who criticized Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ordering the arrest of his colleague. The soldier had slammed the governor for the arrest of his fellow soldier and three other motorcyclists who were driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Lt Gen. Lagbaja expressed displeasure with the soldier’s conduct, stating that it goes against the discipline of the force. He mentioned that an investigation is ongoing regarding other soldiers who may have acted similarly.
During a press briefing in Enugu, Lagbaja stated, “The Army has investigated, and the soldier has been apprehended, and we are investigating every other comrade that you have seen on social media.”
The soldier in question had defended his colleague in a viral video, claiming that the governor had no right to arrest a soldier. He argued that soldiers are not under the control of any state governor but their senior officers.
Lagbaja emphasized that the arrested soldier does not represent the Nigerian Army, and the action contravenes the discipline of the force and the laws of Lagos state. He also clarified that only one soldier among those seen in the videos criticizing the governor was an actual officer, as others were not personnel of the Nigerian Army.
The soldier who criticized Governor Sanwo-Olu claimed that the governor had referred to a soldier as “useless” in the presence of civilians. Sanwo-Olu ordered the arrest of the soldier and other motorcyclists for driving against traffic.