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Newly Wedded Nigerian Army Officer In Trouble For Posting Wedding Video On Social Media

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A Nigerian Army officer has run into trouble for posting a video clip of his wedding on social media.

 

The Nigerian Army has been asked to punish E. Ali, a lieutenant, as well as 13 other officers who attended the wedding, for allegedly flouting army traditions at the event.

 

In an internal memo dated 28 October, the military police said the officers violated the army traditions on social media usage, dressing and etiquette on military marriage.

 

The Military Police said an investigation revealed that the officers breached the Nigerian Army code of ethics in the incident. It also charged them with “disobedience to standing order” and recommended punishment for the alleged infractions.

 

The memo was signed by NH Longpoe, a lieutenant colonel in the Military Police, and was received by the Nigerian Army on 7 November.

 

According to the memo, the groom posted video clips from the wedding on a WhatsApp group he shares with his course mates.

 

The memo did not state the names of other affected officers, or when and where the wedding took place.

 

“Lt E Ali (N/18406) should be charged with Disobedience to Standing Order punishable under Section 57(1) of the AFA CAP A20 LFN: 2004 for contravening Paragraph 11 (g) of the DHQ Policy on the use of Social Media for the FN 2018 by posting his wedding video clips on D$SC Course 25 WhatsApp forum,” the memo reads.

 

“One EE Ukhabi and 12 others will also face disciplinary action for participating in paying formal hand salute and doing push-ups in honour of the bride during the wedding ceremony of Lt and Mrs E All in violation of Paragraph 46 of the Traditions, Custom and Ethics of the NA 2005.”

 

 

Mr Lomgpoe further said that Ukhabi and some officers mentioned earlier will be punished for appearing in “NA No 1 Dress without ceremonial jacket.”

 

This, the military said, contravened paragraph 38 of the NA Dress Regulation of 2005.

 

The memo, however, did not state the nature of the punitive measures it was asking for against the officers.

 

According to the army’s “Policy on the use of social media for the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the military considers certain actions as punishable offences.

 

“Flouting rules and regulations guiding marriages by posting compromising pictures and videos taken in uniform before, during and after the wedding ceremonies,” the document stated.

 

This is not the first time military officers will be in trouble for running foul of Nigerian Army traditions. In 2018, 149 personnel were sanctioned for uploading their pictures on social media.

 

Meanwhile , a human rights lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, said there is nothing strange in the latest development but advised the armed forces to reconsider their rules to reflect the digital age.

 

Mr Ogunye said the public must realise that the military is a “regimented force” and that the conduct of its members is regulated by the Armed Forces Act and regulations laid under the Act.

 

“To that extent, the constitutional right and liberty that are available to Nigerians at large are available to men and officers of the Armed Forces as well but these rights are constrained,” he said.

 

“These rights are circumscribed by virtue of the fact that these men and officers have voluntarily taken the uniforms and have subscribed to military discipline, regimentation and martial law.”

 

Mr Ogunye said that if there was a violation, and there was an imposed sanction but the officers are not satisfied with the sanction, “such officer can seek remedy within the scheme of military justice that will be dispensed thereafter and can ultimately approach the court in respect of that.”

 

The lawyer, however, said that in light of the digital dispensation, the Armed Forces need to reconsider their rigid system and ensure that their rules conform with certain human rights as guaranteed by the constitution.

 

“We live in an information age and a digital age, and I think that the constant clash between military formalism are rigid adherence to order, oaths, signals and regulations would have to be interrogated and reconsidered in the light of the creativity, the creation, technology, the modernity that are at play here,” Mr Ogunye said.

 

“This alleged misconduct will have to be reconsidered. Is it totally out of place for men who are in uniform to be socialised in the Nigerian family, regardless of the fact that they are in the military, in this digital age, in terms of using social media – Facebook, WhatsApp, which is an enabler of the fulsome enjoyment of the rights to disseminate information and receive information and impart ideas under section 39 of the constitution and article 19 of the United Nations charter?

 

“More so, when we have seen in recent times, the same military men using social media to celebrate their victory in the forest against Boko Haram and the likes.

 

“The question is that, if soldiers are permitted to be singing and to celebrate their victory, for busting the enemy or killing them, and they are not penalised, why is a soldier penalised for celebrating his marriage?”

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Igbo Criminals, Not Fulani Herdsmen, Behind South-East Killings — Soludo

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Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that most of the kidnappings and killings in Anambra and other South-East states are carried out by Igbo criminals, not “Fulani herdsmen as widely believed”.

Soludo made this statement during a town hall meeting with Anambra indigenes in the Diaspora, held at the Metro Points Hotel in New Carrollton, Maryland, United States. He said, “99.99 per cent of kidnappers and other criminals arrested in the state since I assumed office three years ago have been Igbos.”

The governor, who has been meeting with Anambra citizens in the US since Sunday to present a detailed report of his three-year tenure, including achievements and challenges, described the belief that Fulani herdsmen are responsible as a “dangerous and misleading narrative,” stating that “it is not Fulani herdsmen, but homegrown criminal elements terrorising the South-East.”

He explained that many who claim to be “liberators” hiding in forests are actually Igbo youths involved in violent crimes for “personal enrichment.”

He said, “Let’s stop deceiving ourselves. Ask yourselves: how do these so-called liberators survive in the forests for months without local support? Who feeds them?

“In my three years and three months in office, nearly every kidnapper and armed criminal we have apprehended is Igbo. Igbos are kidnapping and killing fellow Igbos— not Fulani herdsmen. Anambra belongs to all of us. Our progress is a shared responsibility.”

He called on the Diaspora community to embrace the “think home” initiative by investing in their homeland and contributing their skills and resources.

The governor, joined by his Chief of Staff, Ernest Ezeajughi, presented an open account of his administration’s accomplishments and difficulties, highlighting improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and security.

Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Samson Itegboje, also attended the event and emphasised the importance of diaspora involvement in national development.

During an interactive session, Soludo addressed questions on governance and security, drawing applause from attendees. One participant commented, “He’s the most transparent and development-focused governor we’ve had. At least he’s telling the truth — even if it’s uncomfortable.”

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Obi, Amaechi’s Fight For Ticket Can Lead To ADC’s Collapse — Primate Ayodele

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The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned that the struggle for the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket between former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, could result in the collapse of the coalition.

He made this statement during the unveiling of his annual prophecy book titled “Warnings To The Nations (2025/2026 edition)” on July 5, 2025.

Ayodele, who had earlier predicted that ADC would become the coalition’s platform, stated that although the movement is “divine,” it may collapse due to politicians with “selfish interests.”

He said, “The ADC coalition is divine, has the capacity to pull up something great in 2027 but politicians with selfish interests can collapse it.

“I am seeing Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi having a public fallout due to the presidential ticket of the ADC before 2027.”

He also mentioned that both Obi and Amaechi could leave the coalition because of the presidential ticket.

Ayodele stated, “If Peter Obi doesn’t get the presidential ticket, he will pull out of the coalition.

“Like I said, the coalition is divine but humans can jeopardise the movement.

“They need to be careful.”

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Peter Obi’s Claims About Students’ Death Misleading — Auchi Poly

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The Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, has rejected the claims made by former presidential candidate Peter Obi regarding the alleged deaths of two students during the violence that disrupted the student union election last Saturday.

Obi had posted on his X handle (formerly Twitter) alleging that the unrest during the election resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to several others.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the polytechnic described Obi’s claims as false, misleading, and baseless.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that some students sustained injuries after violence broke out during the student union government elections.

In a viral video circulated on Sunday, students were seen scaling the school fence as gunfire echoed in the background.

The video also showed smoke at the scene, suggesting tear gas was used, while some youths wielded knives to scare others away.

Responding to Obi’s claims, the institution’s Director of Public Relations, Angela Egele, said security operatives were adequately present during the election.

“The attention of the management of Auchi Polytechnic has been drawn to a statement credited to Mr. Peter Obi, wherein he alleged that the recently held Student Union Government (SUG) elections at the institution resulted in the death of two students and injuries to several others due to gunfire,” she said.

Quoting Obi’s post, the statement noted, “I watched the heartbreaking video that showed students in Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State running for their lives as they WERE BEING SHOT AT during their student election yesterday, which left 2 students dead and several injured…”

Egele denied the allegations, stating, “The Management categorically states that these claims are false, misleading, and completely unfounded.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no student was shot, injured, or killed during the electoral process, which was subsequently declared inconclusive due to observed irregularities.”

She explained that the election was monitored by multiple security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence Corps, State Security Service, Mobile Police, and local vigilante groups.

The institution urged the public to disregard Obi’s statement.

“Subsequently, we urge the general public, stakeholders, and members of the press to disregard this misinformation.

“Auchi Polytechnic remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff.”

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