The Nigerian Navy has confirmed the arrest of its personnel involved in a public altercation with soldiers in Bayelsa State during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday.
The incident, which was captured in a viral video circulating on social media, showed a confrontation between uniformed officers that escalated into a physical fight, drawing the attention of shocked bystanders.
In the footage, a driver of a Hilux vehicle marked “Naval Police” was seen stepping out of his vehicle and engaging in a verbal exchange with another driver.
The situation worsened when a soldier, armed with a rifle, approached and allegedly struck the naval officer, triggering a chaotic brawl between personnel from both sides.
Eyewitnesses said the clash occurred as the President was departing from the venue of an official engagement in the state.
“It all happened very fast. One moment they were arguing, and the next thing, they started fighting openly,” a bystander said.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the confrontation had not been officially disclosed.
Reacting to the development, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abi Folorunso, confirmed that those involved had been taken into custody and were undergoing disciplinary procedures.
“The affected personnel are currently in custody and undergoing appropriate administrative and disciplinary processes in line with military regulations,” Folorunso stated.
He added that the Navy remains committed to upholding professionalism and discipline among its ranks, stressing that any conduct that undermines the image of the Armed Forces would be addressed decisively.
The incident has since sparked conversations about inter-agency coordination and discipline within Nigeria’s security forces, especially during high-profile official visits.
