The Nigerian Navy says it will punish comedian Cute Abiola for deliberately violating its social media policy.
Commodore Suleiman Dahun, spokesman of the Nigerian Navy, stated this in a chat with Punch.
According to him, It is against the armed forces social media policy for military personnel to post photos of themselves in uniform on social media.
Dahun further stated that when the Navy reached out to the comedian after violating the policy, he did not respond.
He said, “There is an armed forces social media policy that was promulgated by the defense headquarters; and its principal regulation is that military personnel should not post photos or videos of themselves in uniform while engaging in personal or official activities.
“Military personnel are also not allowed to make comments or share official military decisions, activities or operations on social media. They are also not allowed to forward materials on social media. Copies of the policy are available with the Director of Defense Information. It is not a restricted document, so it can be made available to anyone who needs it.”
He continued “When we got the clip wherein he violated the policy, we asked him to come back to explain himself but he did not return. His commanding officer called him to explain himself concerning the video clip but he ignored his commander and didn’t return until his leave was over.
“When he returned, he was put in custody. If he had come back when he was called upon to explain himself, we would not be discussing this. We (the military) are not in an animal farm. We are human beings too but laws have to be obeyed.”
Also, a source in the Navy, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the comedian punished for violating the law.
The source said “Entertainment is a form of business and even the civil service does not allow its officials to have a side business. Ahmad would be tried first and if found guilty, he would get his due punishment. People should stop taking Panadol for someone else’s headache.
“The case will be handled administratively. It is an internal family matter, and it will be resolved. If a young person misbehaves, we have a way of correcting him in a gentle manner so that he would not repeat such or do worse. We understand that he is an entertainer with a large followership on social media and he can be useful to the military.
“He is not a stubborn person but he was not supposed to show himself in military uniform on social media. If he had obeyed simple instructions, this wouldn’t have happened. He only exhibited juvenile delinquency.
“He would get his due punishment, (which would be) a light one, not something hard. We recognise that he is an entertainer and he could even be given an opportunity to showcase his talent during (social) events of the Nigerian Navy or the Armed Forces. There are two major reasons we are uncomfortable with our personnel exhibiting themselves on social media; and one of them is for their personal safety and security.
“It is not advisable for military personnel to make their addresses and whereabouts known to the public because (through that); our adversaries can get information about the military. A person’s location can be known from the background of the pictures they post on social media. Even Boko Haram terrorists cover their background whenever they post videos of their activities; so that security agents would not be able to pinpoint their location.”
