A serving Nigerian soldier attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar in Minna, Niger State, has been arrested by military authorities after he allegedly appeared in military uniform during a TikTok live session, where he appealed to a popular content creator, King Pedro, for financial assistance.
The incident, which has ignited widespread public debate over the welfare of military personnel and the image of the Nigerian Army, culminated in the soldier’s arrest at the 234 Battalion in Badagry, Lagos State, where he was temporarily staying, despite his official attachment to the Army Aviation Hangar in Minna.
Military sources familiar with the development disclosed that the soldier was taken into custody shortly after clips of the livestream went viral across social media platforms.
According to a senior military source, the soldier joined King Pedro’s TikTok livestream on Saturday while dressed in full military uniform and requested financial help. Rather than offering assistance, the content creator openly rebuked him, describing his actions as disgraceful to the Nigerian Army.
“What happened is that the soldier begged King Pedro for money online on Saturday. Instead of helping him, the civilian insulted him,” the source said.
The source further revealed that King Pedro had previously confronted another young soldier during a separate livestream under similar circumstances.
“If you check the videos on King Pedro’s timeline, you will see another young soldier. That one said he had spent just one year in the Army, and King Pedro also insulted him badly. I don’t know whether they have arrested that other one, but this one is a senior soldier. Only God knows his fate now,” the source added.
In a video recorded after his arrest, the soldier identified himself, saying, “I am in 234 Battalion, Badagry. I am attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar, Minna, in Niger State.”
During the livestream, King Pedro asked the soldier whether he had eaten. The soldier responded that he had not eaten and disclosed that he had spent five years in the Nigerian Army while serving in Niger State.
The revelation drew an immediate rebuke from the influencer, who condemned the soldier for appearing in military uniform while seeking financial assistance online.
“You have been in the Army for five years, and you are wearing military uniform to come on live stream to beg for money. You don’t have respect for that uniform,” King Pedro said.
He further warned that the soldier’s conduct could attract severe military sanctions.
“They should lock you up and court-martial you. You are not supposed to wear Nigerian Army uniform and come on live stream begging for money. If you want to beg, wear civilian clothes. Don’t disgrace the Nigerian Army,” he added.
The viral video has since generated heated reactions nationwide. While many Nigerians criticised the soldier for allegedly bringing the military into disrepute, others argued that the incident reflects the harsh economic realities confronting some security personnel, raising fresh concerns about the welfare, living conditions and morale of serving members of the Armed Forces.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the arrest or indicate whether formal disciplinary proceedings would be instituted against the soldier.