Our Reporter, Abuja
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for the immediate release of a Nigerian soldier, Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, reportedly detained after posting a video on social media in which he expressed frustration over the welfare and working conditions of troops fighting insurgency.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the organisation said it received reports that the soldier was arrested and detained after sharing a video highlighting the challenges faced by frontline personnel.
According to RULAAC, Olamilekan, who identified himself in the video with service number 18NA/77/1009 LCPL, said he had been serving with the 81 Division Task Force Battalion in Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, for about four years without promotion or additional benefits.
The soldier reportedly lamented the continued loss of colleagues in the fight against insurgency and banditry, and urged political leaders—including governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, ministers and local government chairmen—to allow their children to enlist in the army to experience the realities faced by troops on the frontline.
RULAAC said while it recognises that the military operates under strict rules guiding the conduct and public communication of serving personnel, detaining a soldier for raising concerns about the welfare of troops raises questions about how the military addresses grievances within its ranks.
The organisation noted that from the widely circulated video, the soldier neither disclosed operational secrets nor incited mutiny or insubordination, but spoke emotionally about the sacrifices made by soldiers battling insurgency on behalf of the country.
According to the group, complaints about prolonged deployment, lack of promotion and the psychological burden of combat operations have been raised repeatedly by troops deployed to the frontline.
“Punishing soldiers for speaking about these challenges risks silencing legitimate grievances that should instead inform improvements in military welfare, morale and operational effectiveness,” the statement said.
RULAAC stressed that Nigerians owe a “deep debt of gratitude” to soldiers risking their lives in the fight against terrorism and violent crime.
The organisation therefore urged military authorities to either release the detained soldier or ensure that he is treated in accordance with the law and granted access to his family and legal representation.
It also called on the military to investigate the concerns raised in the video, strengthen internal grievance and welfare mechanisms for troops, and prioritise the welfare, mental health support and career progression of soldiers serving in high-risk theatres of operation.
“Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent crime depends not only on weapons and strategy but also on the morale, dignity and wellbeing of the soldiers who prosecute the war,” the statement added.
