You may have seen a video of the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordering the arrest of a soldier. That video made many Nigerians say “Sanwo-Olu don buy market”.
That incident happened hours ago, but it still sparks controversy up till this very moment.
People are talking, and from all indications, it seems like military officers are not pleased with Sanwo-Olu’s actions. Perhaps he would have been more diplomatic.
Well, many persons are not surprised because the bond that exists between these soldiers is one beyond comprehension.
As Nigerians struggle to judge the issue, a soldier has criticised the Governor.
The Arrest
In a video that circulated widely on Thursday, the soldier, whose identity remains unknown, defended his colleague.
He disapproved of Sanwo-Olu’s use of derogatory terms like ‘useless’ to describe a soldier in the presence of civilians he referred to as ‘bastards’.
Also Read: “Useless Boy!” Gov. Sanwoolu Attacks Traffic Offenders
“Or could it be because of the peace Lagos enjoys? That is why the Governor does not know the value of soldiers?” he wondered.
Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, ordered the arrest of a soldier and three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
In a video that gained widespread attention, Sanwo-Olu was seen instructing his personnel to place a motorcyclist, who claimed to be a soldier, into a vehicle to detain him.
No Offence
In response to the arrest, the soldier, convinced that his colleague had committed no offence warranting apprehension, argued that the state governor lacked the authority to arrest a soldier, particularly in the vicinity of his barracks.
He claimed that no state governor controls soldiers but only their senior officers.
He said: “Did I just hear your governor calling a soldier, lance corporal useless? a lance corporal…This man broke his arm; they fired at the man. There is iron in his hands.
“You are calling a soldier useless in front of those idiots, those bastard civilians. DSS was pushing a soldier.
How To Reply To Attacks
“In any situation where you find yourself as a soldier, the Army only gives you five seconds to compose yourself, so after that, you must know how to reply to any attack or anything that comes your way.
“Because he is a governor, I know the (arrested soldier) was shocked that the governor was arresting him.
“I know I am not perfect, and I am not saying I am, but in any situation I find myself, especially beside your barracks, nobody can arrest you.
“I repeat, nobody can arrest you because you have to stand your grand, and nobody will slap you there.
“No DSS or police can slap you because you refuse to go. Why will you arrest me when there are IP and military police?
“Okay, will it be because I took one way beside my barracks?
“What if I just took the bike out to buy something? Do I have to take the long route because I want to buy something?
“Who does that? In which Amy?
Too Much Peace
“Furthermore, he stated that the governor’s actions were driven by the prevailing peace in Lagos, emphasising that such an incident would never occur in the North-East, where he is stationed.
He said: “So, now, your governor has the guts to arrest and even call a soldier useless. To be sincere, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace.
“Let’s tell the truth, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Let us assume this happened in the Northeast, where I am.
“Is it here that the governor’s convoy that is taking one way will arrest a soldier for taking one way?”
Sanwo-Olu The Tout
“The governor constituted a nuisance. You are there pursuing civilians; what if they get involved in an accident along the line?
“The governor was there acting like a tout, a governor! When you are supposed to respect yourself.
“If the soldier said he is not going anywhere, nobody has the power to slap him.
“If the governor tries it, he knows he is already a bygone. The governor dare not slap a soldier.
“If I am directed by the MP, any of my senior, or any other officer to go to the guard room, I will go.
“But if the governor says so, I will never go. He doesn’t have the power. Who does he want to lock up?”
Watch the video here:
Nigerian soldier reacts to viral video of Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu arresting his colleague for breaking traffic law pic.twitter.com/ciwn9fPodq
— Intel Region (@IntelRegion) January 4, 2024
