The Nigerian Army has explained the circumstances surrounding the arrest of social media influencer, Justice Chidiebere, known as Justice Crack.
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It said he was picked up after preliminary investigations revealed he had conversations with soldiers that bordered on subversion.
The Army, in a statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, on Saturday, said its attention was drawn to posts Chidiebere made on social media featuring soldiers’ complaints about their feeding and general welfare.
It said a deeper look at the matter revealed that the influencer’s engagement with the soldiers went beyond welfare concerns.
“Preliminary report reveals that the soldiers discussed a wide range of issues with Justice Chidiebere, who seemed to be inciting soldiers to create discontent within the system.
“An example was a chat bordering on subversion which Chidiebere had with the soldiers,” the statement read.
The Army said the implications of such conduct could not be overlooked.
“A situation where civilians cultivate vulnerable personnel towards acts of subversion has far-reaching implications on discipline and national security,” it stated.
Chidiebere was arrested alongside the soldiers involved, the Army said, adding that while the soldiers remained in military custody, the influencer had since been transferred to civil authorities.
“Justice Chidiebere has been handed over to the relevant civil authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution,” the statement read.
The Army said the arrest was also connected to a breach of its social media policy and an attempt to misinform the public.
It maintained that its actions were within legal bounds.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to the rule of law and will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure justice is served.
“We will continue to act within the ambits of the law in safeguarding our sovereignty,” the statement read.
But as the Army issued its explanation on Friday, Chidiebere’s wife had already gone public with a plea, recounting days of silence and confusion since her husband’s disappearance.
She said she first noticed something was wrong when her calls went unanswered.
“I tried everything, up till now. I called his line from that Tuesday and he rang once but nobody picked ever since then. The messages all delivered at the same time. And I was just confused. I did not even know what happened,” she said.
She described her husband’s sudden absence as completely out of character.
“Like I said it’s unlike him. If he’s late, people will call me. He has never even slept out of the house. So I don’t know,” she said.
Appealing directly to the government, she said her children could not be left without their father.
“Please Nigerian government, please bring my husband back to me. Back to my children. They need their father. My daughter is just six years old.
“They do not deserve this. They deserve a father,” she said.
The arrest had also drawn condemnation from activists before the Army’s statement was issued.
Activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on Wednesday, demanded Chidiebere’s immediate release, alleging that the influencer’s vehicle had been spotted at the offices of the Defence Intelligence Agency after he was picked up by Brigadier General W. A. Adegoke.
“His only ‘offence’ appears to be speaking out and raising alarm over the extrajudicial killing of a youth corps member and drawing attention to the conditions faced by soldiers on the frontlines,” Sowore said in a post on X.
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