The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has distanced itself from a now viral video showcasing the moment Seyi Tinubu received a salute from the quarter guard on his arrival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The video which has become a growing sensation, attracted a lot of criticim, as many Nigerians questioned the propriety of granting such honours to a private citizen with no public office.
Reacting to the video, the Director of Defence Information Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau told PUNCH on Sunday that the personnel in the video are unknown to 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 said.
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar while reacting to the video, condemned the act, describing it as a “serious breach of military tradition”.
Atiku in a statement on Sunday through his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
Atiku said: “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 further questioned the legitimacy of the military-like outfit involved, stating that the so-called group, the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” is not a recognized entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The presidential candidate emphasized how civilians exploited and tarnished the esteemed traditions of the military, while also noting the disturbing fact that the name “Cadet,” was associated with young, formally trained military personnel.
Atiku maintained that preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces is paramount, noting that “If it is determined that any legal violations were committed by the President’s son or members of the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network,’ it is the constitutional duty of Nigerian security agencies to ensure that the law takes its course and those responsible are held accountable”
The statement added, “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.
“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 has now called for an urgent investigation by all relevant security agencies to address the following critical concerns:
1. The legitimacy of the “Nigeria Cadet Network” and its use of the title “Cadet” when it is not a registered entity.
2. The origin and legality of the firearms displayed by members of the “Nigeria Cadet Network.”
3. The propriety of the military honours granted to the President’s son by non-commissioned civilians under the protection of security personnel.
