The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Sunday disassociated itself from a viral video showing military personnel conducting a guards parade for Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
In the video, Seyi Tinubu is seen inspecting a military-style parade while being accorded presidential honours by individuals dressed in military uniforms. However, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, denied any connection to the personnel involved.
“They are not our personnel,” Gusau told our correspondence when presented with evidence from the video. “We don’t dress that way, and we don’t have this type of badge of rank. We don’t know them.”
Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the incident and called for a thorough investigation. In a statement issued on Sunday, Atiku described the parade as an “anomaly” and a “serious breach of military tradition.”
“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,” Atiku stated.
He questioned the legitimacy of the group, allegedly identifying itself as the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” asserting that it is not recognized by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Atiku criticized the use of firearms by the group, pointing out that it raises serious security concerns, especially given the proliferation of illegal arms in Nigeria.
“Our investigation into this so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network’ revealed that it is not a legally registered entity,” he said. “The brazen use of firearms by civilians in this so-called parade is alarming and undermines the security challenges our country faces.”
He further urged security agencies to investigate the legality of the firearms and the parade, adding, “Preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces is paramount. If any laws were violated, those responsible, including the President’s son, must be held accountable.”
The video has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the propriety of granting military-style honours to a private citizen who holds no public office. Critics argue that such actions diminish the professionalism and prestige of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The DHQ’s disavowal and Atiku’s call for accountability highlight growing concerns about the politicization of military traditions and the need to maintain the sanctity of the armed forces.
