A Nigerian soldier attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar in Minna, Niger State, has been taken into military custody after allegedly appearing in military uniform during a TikTok live session where he solicited financial assistance from a popular content creator, King Pedro.
The soldier was reportedly arrested at the 234 Battalion in Badagry, Lagos State, where he was staying, although he is attached to the Army Aviation Hangar in Minna.
According to a military source familiar with the incident, the arrest followed a viral TikTok live broadcast on Saturday during which the soldier allegedly asked King Pedro for money.
The source said the content creator did not offer financial assistance but instead criticised the soldier for appearing in military uniform while requesting money online.
The source further alleged that King Pedro had, on another occasion, reprimanded a different soldier who also appeared on one of his live sessions.
“If you check the videos on King Pedro’s timeline, you will see another young soldier. That one told him he had spent just one year in the Army, and King Pedro also insulted him badly. I don’t know whether they have arrested that other one, but this one is a senior soldier. Only God knows his fate now,” the source said.
In a video recorded after his arrest, the soldier identified himself as serving with the 234 Battalion in Badagry while attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar in Minna, Niger State.
During the TikTok live session, the content creator asked the soldier whether he had eaten.
“Yes sir, I have not eaten,” the soldier replied.
The soldier also disclosed during the broadcast that he had served in the Nigerian Army for five years and was deployed to Niger State.
Reacting during the live session, King Pedro criticised the soldier’s actions, saying it was inappropriate to wear military uniform while seeking financial assistance on social media.
“You have been in the Army for five years, and you are wearing military uniform to come on live stream to beg for money. You don’t have respect for that uniform,” he said.
The influencer also warned that the soldier could face disciplinary measures.
“They should lock you up and court-martial you. You are not supposed to wear Nigerian Army uniform and come on live stream begging for money. If you want to beg, wear civilian clothes. Don’t disgrace the Nigerian Army,” he added.
The video has since circulated widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions. While some Nigerians condemned the soldier’s conduct, others argued that the country’s economic challenges may have contributed to the situation.
