The Nigerian military has denied any involvement in a recent guards parade held for Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
According to Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, the personnel in the viral video are not recognised by the military.
Gusau stated that the uniforms and badges of rank worn by the personnel in the video do not match those of the Nigerian military.
“They are not our personnel. We don’t dress that way. We don’t have this type of badge of rank. We don’t know them,” Gusau told The PUNCH.
The video showed Seyi Tinubu being given a presidential honor and inspecting a guards parade, sparking speculation about the military’s involvement.
A group called Community Auxiliary Development and Effective Transformation Network has claimed responsibility for organising the parade.
The incident has generated significant controversy and debate online.
SaharaReporters reported on Sunday that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for an investigation into the viral footage, condemning it.
Atiku, in a statement released through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday, demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, labelling it a gross violation of military traditions.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed outrage over the event, calling it an aberration for any branch of the Armed Forces to organise a formal parade for a non-designated public figure.
“It is with utter dismay and concern that Nigerians were subjected to a nauseating video circulating online, where a group of young men, armed and in full military procession, bestowed upon the President’s son unwarranted military honours,” the statement read.
Atiku further questioned the legitimacy of the military-like outfit involved, stating that the so-called group, the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” is not a recognised entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He emphasised the fact that the name “Cadet,” associated with young, formally trained military personnel, was exploited by civilians to tarnish the esteemed traditions of the military.
“In an effort to uncover the truth behind this shameless procession, we instructed our legal team and military experts to investigate the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network.’
“To no one’s surprise, it was revealed that the group is not a legally registered entity,” Atiku noted.
“What is even more alarming is the brazen use of firearms by civilians in this so-called parade – at a time when illegal arms proliferation is at a dangerous high in our country.”
Atiku, therefore, called for an urgent investigation by all relevant security agencies into the incident
