The Nigerian Navy has taken several personnel into custody to face disciplinary action after a viral video captured a public brawl between naval police and soldiers in Bayelsa during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to the state.
Trending Video: Nigerian Army and Navy exchange heavy punches today in Bayelsa during Pres. Tinubu’s visit. pic.twitter.com/SQJ4ZL1uSp
— Trending Explained (@TrendingEx) April 10, 2026
The Nigerian Navy has confirmed the arrest and detention of personnel involved in a public altercation with soldiers in Bayelsa State on Friday, April 10, 2026. The incident, which occurred as President Bola Tinubu was departing the venue of an official event, was captured in a viral video that sparked widespread condemnation from the Nigerian public. The footage showed a driver of a vehicle marked ‘Naval Police’ engaging in a heated argument with an occupant of another car, which escalated rapidly when a soldier wielding a rifle approached and threw a punch. The ensuing melee saw various personnel in military uniforms trading blows and using cudgels in full view of the public and departing dignitaries.
In response to the growing outcry over the indiscipline displayed by the rank and file, the Navy high command moved swiftly to identify and sanction those involved. Abi Folorunso, the Director of Naval Information, released a statement on Saturday, April 11, 2026, via the social media platform X, confirming that the unruly officers are now in military custody. “The affected personnel are in custody and already undergoing appropriate administrative and disciplinary procedures in accordance with extant military regulations,” he wrote. The Navy maintained that such conduct is a violation of the professional standards expected of the armed forces, especially during high-profile state assignments.
The clash has reignited a national conversation regarding the recurring friction between different branches of Nigeria’s security agencies. Many Nigerians described the brawl as an embarrassing display of lawlessness that undermined the dignity of the presidential visit. While the specific cause of the initial argument remains under investigation, the military authorities have promised that the outcome of the disciplinary procedures will be made public to serve as a deterrent. As of Saturday afternoon, the Nigerian Army had not issued a separate statement regarding the soldiers involved in the scuffle, though joint military protocols typically require both branches to coordinate during such investigations.
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