For daring the ruling class, Nigeria military dismisses soldier who urged children of the elites to join fight against bandits

A Nigerian soldier, Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, has been dismissed from the Nigerian army for posting a video urging Nigerian political class to also enlist their children into the military, to help end terrorism in the country.

Olamilekan, whose service number is 18NA/77/1009, was immediately taken into custody after making the video, deemed daring by the Nigerian ruling class.

According to Sahara Reporters, Olamilekan, who was serving with the 81 Division Task Force Battalion in Maiduguri, Borno State, was arrested and detained on February 11, 2026, following a directive reportedly issued for him to be brought to Army Headquarters in Abuja.

In the said video posted on Facebook, Olamilekan had called on top government officials including ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and local government chairmen to allow their sons to be recruited into the Nigerian Army to join the fight against banditry and insurgency across the country.

“The way I dey lose my colleagues, it is getting to a point where it brings tears to my eyes every day. In this country, we have 36 governors, about 109 senators, and nearly 60 ministers,” he said in Pidgin English.

“We also have members of the House of Representatives and 774 local government chairmen. Let each of them send their own sons to join the Nigerian Army.”

While Olamilekan may be expressing frustration at the loss of many soldier colleagues and the lingering insurgency in the country, the ruling elites viewed the outburst daring.

Multiple sources who spoke to SaharaReporters alleged that the soldier who has served for eight years was subject to degrading treatment while in detention.

It was further gatherd that he was held in unsanitary conditions and locked up in the same cell with bandits and other criminal suspects, with his hands and legs cuffed.

Before his dismissal, Olamilekan’s health was said to have deteriorated due to a serious ailment, and that Army authorities allegedly refused to provide him with medical treatment despite his condition.

“He was locked up in the same place used for defecation and urination. He was detained with suspected terrorists and had both his hands and legs cuffed.

“I don’t think he deserves this kind of treatment after serving and defending his country for eight years. After all this punishment, he was still dismissed,” the source added.