The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Nigerian military to immediately release Lance Corporal Rotimi Olamilekan, a soldier reportedly detained after posting a viral video detailing the hardships of frontline combat.
Securitynewsalert.com heard that the soldier, identified by service number 18NA/77/1009, recently shared an emotional testimony from Borno State, where he has served with the 81 Division Task Force Battalion for four years.
In the footage, Olamilekan lamented the lack of promotions and the mounting death toll among his colleagues, challenging Nigeria’s political elite to enlist their own children in the fight against insurgency.
While the military maintains strict codes of conduct regarding social media usage, RULAAC argues that Olamilekan’s actions stem from desperation rather than defiance.
“From the content of the video, Lance Corporal Olamilekan did not disclose operational secrets nor incite mutiny or insubordination,” said Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC. “Rather, he spoke emotionally about the toll of the war on soldiers and called attention to the heavy sacrifices made by those confronting violent insurgency.”
Nwanguma emphasised that the soldier’s frustration reflects a systemic issue within the ranks, noting that this is not an isolated incident of troops complaining about prolonged deployments and “promotion stagnation.”
RULAAC warned that the “incommunicado” detention of the soldier sends a chilling message to the troops and could ultimately damage national security. The group argues that silencing grievances will not solve the underlying issues of morale and welfare.
In its formal statement, the organisation demanded the immediate release of Olamilekan, ensuring he is granted access to his family and legal representation.
RULAAC also urged the military to launch a formal probe into the specific concerns raised regarding his four-year deployment without career progression. Furthermore, the group is pushing for a total strengthening of internal grievance mechanisms so soldiers can report issues without fear of retaliation.
“Punishing soldiers for speaking about these challenges risks silencing legitimate grievances that should instead inform improvements in military welfare,” the statement read. “Silencing their voices will not strengthen the military; listening to them will.”
The incident highlights the ongoing psychological and physical strain on personnel deployed in the Northeast. RULAAC stressed that Nigeria’s success against banditry and terrorism is tethered to the “morale, dignity, and well-being” of its soldiers. #securitynewsalert.com
