The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disowned the men who conducted a parade for President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, who also received a salute from a quarter guard of some men in uniform on his arrival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In a viral video of the incident that has drawn criticism over the unwieldy nature of the quarter guard salute by the unknown rag-tag bunch of men in uniforms resembling that of the Army, Nigerians had a field day lambasting, mocking the comedic display, resemblling a skit, were it not for the presence of the president’s son and some of his aides.
But the Defence Headquarters, through its spokesman, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, was quoted by PUNCH, a Nigerian popular newspaper, on Sunday as saying that the personnel in the video are unknown to the Nigerian military.
His words:“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.
His words come shortly after Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria condemned the recent parade .
He has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, labelling it a gross violation of military tradition.
In a statement released Atiku expressed outrage over the event, calling it an aberration for any branch of the Armed Forces to organize a formal parade for a non-designated public figure.
“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,” the statement read.
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. He emphasized the disturbing fact that the name “Cadet,” associated with young, formally trained military personnel, was exploited by civilians to tarnish the esteemed traditions of the military.
“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.”
He has 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.
The former Vice President stressed that preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces is paramount. “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,” Atiku said.
