- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Army has arrested two of its personnel caught in viral videos serving as bouncers at the wedding ceremony of Nigerian content creator Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, and fellow TikTok personality, Elizabeth Amadou, popularly known as Jarvis.
According to reports, the soldiers were reportedly arrested on Tuesday days after their appearance at Peller’s wedding where they were seen escorting celebrities into the venue of the wedding held in Lekki area of Lagos State.
One of the videos, which drew significant public attention, allegedly showed a Nigerian soldier acting as a bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna while escorting her through the crowded venue.
The footage triggered widespread criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning why military personnel were allegedly deployed to a private social event involving influencers and celebrities.
Military sources, as quoted by SaharaReporters, said the soldiers were apprehended on Tuesday morning as investigations commenced into the incident.
The source identified the arrested personnel as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, also attached to the 81DMSH in Obalende, Lagos.
“Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.
“Preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident. Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,” the source said.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly maintained that serving personnel are prohibited from undertaking unauthorised private security duties or participating in illegal deployments without official approval.