The Nigerian Navy has arrested personnel involved in an altercation with soldiers in Bayelsa during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state on Friday.
A viral clip showed officers in military uniforms in fisticuffs as a brawl ensued.
In the footage, the driver of a Hilux marked ‘Naval Police’ was seen alighting from the vehicle before getting into a heated argument with the occupant of another car.
The naval police driver retuned to his vehicle shortly afterwards as a soldier wielding a rifle approached and threw a punch.
Tempers flared as a melee — with cudgels thrown into the mix — played out in the public glare.
The clash occurred as Tinubu was leaving the venue of an event.
The incident has since drawn criticisms from Nigerians, with many describing it as another example of indiscipline within the rank and file.
Reacting to the incident in a post on X on Saturday, Abi Folorunso, director of naval information, shared that officers involved in the scuffle have been taken into custody and are undergoing disciplinary procedures.
“The affected personnel are in custody and already undergoing appropriate administrative and disciplinary procedures in accordance with extant military regulations,” he wrote.
