Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Nigerian soldier attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar in Minna, Niger State, has been arrested by military authorities after appearing in military uniform on a TikTok live session where he begged a popular content creator, King Pedro, for money, saying he had not eaten. The soldier, however, was arrested at the 234 Battalion in Badagry, Lagos State, where he was staying, and not in Niger State, despite being attached to the Army Aviation Hangar in Minna. A top military source familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that the soldier's arrest followed a viral exchange with King Pedro, who publicly berated him for soliciting money while wearing his military uniform. "What happened is that the particular soldier begged King Pedro for money online on Saturday. Instead of helping him, the civilian insulted him," the source said.
In a video recorded after his arrest and obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, the soldier identified himself, saying, "I am in 234 Battalion, Badagry. I am attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar, Minna, in Niger State." Before his arrest, the soldier had appeared on King Pedro's TikTok live session wearing his military camouflage. When asked whether he had eaten, the soldier replied, "Yes sir, I have not eaten." He also disclosed that he had served in the Nigerian Army for five years and was deployed to Niger State. The video has since gone viral on social media, triggering mixed reactions, with some Nigerians condemning the soldier's conduct while others blamed the country's economic hardship for forcing serving personnel to seek financial assistance online.
King Pedro immediately condemned the soldier for begging while wearing military uniform. "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," the influencer said. He warned the soldier that he could face disciplinary action. "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," King Pedro added.
The source added that the TikTok influencer had similarly insulted another young soldier in a separate live session. "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 added. A senior military source confirmed the arrest to SaharaReporters, noting that the video went viral and prompted the soldier's arrest. The clip has since sparked debate online. Some Nigerians condemned the soldier for appearing in uniform to solicit money, while others pointed to economic hardship as the reason some personnel are turning to social media for support.
The arrest comes at a time when the Nigerian military has been grappling with public perception of poor welfare conditions for troops. Earlier in 2026, the Nigerian Army confirmed the arrest of a popular social media influencer, Justice Mark Chidiebere, known as 'Justice Crack,' alongside several soldiers over online posts highlighting grievances about feeding and welfare conditions within the military. The Army stated that the influencer was arrested for allegedly inciting soldiers and violating the Armed Forces' Social Media Policy. While the soldiers remain in military custody, the influencer was handed over to civil authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution. In July 2026, the Defence Minister disclosed that the Federal Government had increased the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from N49,000 to N100,000, dismissing claims that troops were poorly fed.
The incident involving the soldier and King Pedro has intensified the debate over military welfare, discipline, and the conduct of personnel on social media. The soldier's appeal for financial assistance, while in uniform, has been viewed by some as a breach of military regulations and an act that brings disrepute to the Nigerian Army. Others, however, have expressed sympathy, arguing that the soldier's actions reflect the harsh economic realities facing many Nigerians, including those serving in the armed forces. As the soldier remains in military custody, his fate now rests with the military authorities, who are expected to conduct an investigation and determine appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with military law.
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