The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has announced the arrest of a soldier who insulted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on social media.
The soldier, allegedly riding against traffic regulations in Lagos, was detained after being apprehended by security personnel attached to the governor’s convoy.
In a video shared on X by one of Sanwo-Olu’s media aides, Wale Ajetunmobi, the COAS said all other videos where insults were hurled at the governor were not from Army personnel. The video triggered angry reactions from some military personnel on social media.
Lt. General Lagbaja expressed concern while speaking with Journalists in Enugu state, emphasising that the soldier’s actions contradicted the values and professionalism expected of the Nigerian Army.
He clarified that other videos circulating on social media with insults directed at the governor did not involve Army personnel.
The Chief of Army Staff assured the public that the apprehended soldier would face disciplinary measures in accordance with military regulations, underscoring the military’s commitment to maintaining respectful relations with civilian authorities.
Lagbaja stated, “I want to say that the soldier that was apprehended by the governor of Lagos state for plying one way does not represent the Nigerian Army.
“Because, in every respect, he contravened what we stand for, which is discipline as an Army, and it contravenes the constitution and the laws of Lagos. So, we frown at that as an Army.
“But for what you alleged that soldiers have gone to social media casting aspersions on the person and the office of the governor, it is only one soldier that has done that. The Army has investigated, that soldier has been apprehended and we are investigating.
“For every comical act that you have seen on social media, they are not personnel of the Nigerian Army,” he emphasised.