A Nigerian soldier has been arrested by military authorities after he appeared on a TikTok live stream in full camouflage to ask a content creator for financial help.
The soldier, who is attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar in Minna, Niger State, was picked up at the 234 Battalion in Badagry, Lagos State, where he was staying. A senior military source confirmed the arrest to SaharaReporters.
The incident happened on Saturday during a live session with popular TikTok influencer King Pedro. Wearing his uniform, the soldier asked for assistance. When the host asked if he had eaten, he replied, “Yes sir, I have not eaten.” He also said he had served in the Nigerian Army for five years and was currently deployed to Niger State.
Instead of offering help, King Pedro criticized him on air.
“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,” the influencer said. He added that the soldier should be “locked up and court-martialed” and warned that if anyone must beg, it should be done out of uniform “so you don’t disgrace the Nigerian Army.”
According to the military source, the video went viral and prompted the soldier’s arrest. The source also noted that King Pedro had insulted another young soldier in a separate live stream, but it was unclear if that soldier had also been detained.
A video recorded after the arrest and shared by SaharaReporters on Sunday shows the soldier identifying himself and stating his unit and attachment.
The clip has since sparked debate online. Some Nigerians condemned the soldier for appearing in uniform to solicit money, while others pointed to economic hardship as the reason some personnel are turning to social media for support.
