By Abimbola Emmanuel
The Nigerian Navy has once again explained why one of its personnel, Abdulgafar Ahmad, who doubles as an Instagram comedian with the stage name: Cute Abiola, is being detained.
Commodore Suleiman Dahun, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy, in an interview with the Punch, maintained that the comedian deliberately flouted the armed forces social media policy.
According to him, the naval authorities invited Abiola after he violated the rules to come and explain himself, but he ignored their calls.
Dahun noted further that the comedian would be tried, and if found guilty, he would be punished.
He said: “There is an armed forces social media policy that was promulgated by the defence 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.
“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 are not in an animal farm. We are human beings too but laws have to be obeyed.
“He would get his due punishment, 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.”
Recall that on November 17, 2021, the Nigerian Navy released a statement to debunk the claim that the comedian was missing.
