The Nigerian military has disassociated itself from a viral video showing Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, receiving a ceremonial guards parade. Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, stated that the individuals involved were not military personnel, citing their uniforms and insignia as inconsistent with military standards. The event, held in Ogun State, featured Seyi Tinubu inspecting what appeared to be a military honor guard.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the act, describing it as a serious breach of military tradition and calling for a full investigation. In a statement, Atiku criticized the involvement of a group identified as the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” which he claimed is neither recognized by the Nigerian Armed Forces nor a legally registered entity. He expressed concern over the use of firearms by civilians during the parade, particularly given the high rate of illegal arms proliferation in the country. Atiku emphasized the need to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian military and urged authorities to hold those responsible accountable.

The Nigeria Cadet Network, through its Corps Commander, J.G. Fatoye, clarified that it is a youth volunteer organization, not affiliated with the military. They explained that the guards parade, featuring dummy rifles, was part of a youth empowerment program and also honored other dignitaries present, including government officials and presidential aides. The group denied using live ammunition and defended its actions as a standard practice among youth organizations.

The incident has sparked public outrage, with critics accusing the event of undermining the professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Atiku reiterated the importance of ensuring that military traditions are not exploited for political purposes, stressing the constitutional duty of security agencies to investigate and uphold the law.