The Nigerian Army has arrested two serving soldiers over their alleged role in an unauthorised deployment at the lavish wedding of Nigerian content creator Habeeb Hamzat, better known as Peller, and fellow TikTok personality Jarvis.
Military sources said on Tuesday evening that the arrests came after intelligence suggested the soldiers took part in an illegal deployment at the celebrity wedding held in Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.
A senior military source said the soldiers were arrested on Tuesday morning as an investigation into the incident began.
The source identified them as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, also attached to the 81DMSH in Obalende, Lagos.
“Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.
“Preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident. Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,” the source said.
The arrests followed videos from the wedding showing uniformed military personnel providing security and escorting some celebrity guests. One clip allegedly showed a Nigerian soldier acting as a bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna. The videos drew criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning the presence of military personnel at a private event. The Army has consistently maintained that serving personnel are not allowed to carry out unauthorised private security duties or take part in illegal deployments without official approval.
