Cute Abiola Will Be Punished For Breaking The Social Media Policy – Navy 

Abiola broke the rule, naval authorities invited him to come and explain himself, but he refused.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Abdulgafar Ahmad, aka Cute Abiola, a naval personnel and online comedian, is currently being detained by the Nigerian Navy for posting a video of himself in military uniform on social media, which is against the armed forces’ social media policy.

Commodore Suleiman Dahun, the Nigerian Navy’s spokesperson, said in an interview with Saturday Beats: “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.”

Dahun, when asked what Abiola did to deserve his punishment, said, “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.”

He went on to say that the comedian would be tried first and punished if he was found guilty.

“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”, he said.