The Nigerian Army has detained two serving soldiers for allegedly performing unauthorized security duties at the high-profile traditional wedding of TikTok stars Habeeb Hamzat (Peller) and Jarvis, held in Lekki, Lagos, over the weekend. The arrest has triggered widespread online debate about military discipline and personal side hustles.
Arrest of the Two Soldiers
Privates Onasanya Ifeoluwa and Ukpai Onyinyechi, both attached to the Nigerian Army Medical Services and Hospital in Obalende, were taken into custody on Tuesday, according to Lt.-Col. Musa Yahaya, spokesperson for the 81 Division. The arrest followed the circulation of viral videos from the wedding on social media, showing uniformed soldiers performing crowd control and escorting guests.
The Nigerian Army has long maintained that its personnel are barred from accepting private security assignments or participating in any deployment without official clearance. The incident also raised questions about compliance with a Federal Government directive withdrawing police and military escorts from private individuals not legally entitled to such protection.
What the Videos Showed
Footage from the ceremony reportedly showed the soldiers escorting guests, including a clip where one soldier walked alongside TikTok personality Ivanna through the packed venue. This detail drew sharp scrutiny from online viewers, many of whom questioned the soldiers' presence at a private event.
Preliminary investigations are ongoing to establish how the soldiers came to be at the event and whether additional military personnel were involved beyond the two already detained.
Public Reactions Divided
Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) were divided over the arrest, with reactions ranging from outrage to sympathy. Some users expressed frustration, while others defended the soldiers' actions.
- CollethSnowwolf wrote: "So soldiers doing side hustle at a wedding is where discipline suddenly matters, abi? Funny how the system moves fast to punish this, but when it comes to bigger issues, everybody goes quiet. These ones probably just trying to survive like every other Nigerian, but now dem go use..."
- barrister_angie commented: "I don't know why they got arrested but I feel there is more to this story, are soldiers not allowed to act as bodyguards? Because this is not the first time."
- Jerolagu stated: "Why didn't they put on face mask like the rest of them. At least the total number of soldiers that day would be up to 20 but these two decided not to cover their faces for personal reasons. They should face the consequences."
- PostandIReply remarked: "Insecurity everywhere, but two soldiers at a TikTok wedding is the emergency. Classic Nigeria."
- Areapharmacist wrote: "They really need to arrest them, they have reduced Nigeria soldiers to zero."
Peller and Jarvis in Public Disagreement
In related news, Legit.ng highlighted a recent public disagreement between Peller and Jarvis following their traditional wedding. The exchange sparked online discussion about traditional roles in wedding ring purchases and how they challenge modern relationship dynamics.
The Nigerian Army's action underscores its commitment to discipline, but the public remains split on whether the punishment fits the crime.
