Nigerian Army Arrests Soldier Filmed Begging TikTok Influencer for Money in Uniform

The Nigerian Army has arrested a soldier after a video went viral showing him begging TikTok influencer King Pedro for money while livestreaming in military uniform, saying he had not eaten. In the clip, the soldier identified himself as a member of the 234 Battalion, Badagry, attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar in Minna, Niger State. He told King Pedro he had served in the Army for five years and was currently deployed in Niger State.

King Pedro criticized the soldier during the livestream for appearing in uniform while requesting money, saying he should be locked up and court-martialled, and that anyone wanting to beg should do so in civilian clothes rather than disgracing the Nigerian Army. Following his arrest, the soldier appeared in a follow-up video reiterating his unit and posting details.

A source alleged that a second, younger soldier — who said he had served just one year — was similarly mocked by King Pedro in another video on his page, though it remains unclear whether that soldier has also been arrested.

The incident has divided opinion online, with some Nigerians condemning the soldier for appearing in uniform while begging, and others pointing to the country's economic hardship as the underlying driver pushing serving personnel toward seeking help publicly on social media.

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