The Naval rating who ignited the free-for-all fight with Presidential Brigade Escorts in Bayelsa State during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday is in custody and may face Court Martial, sources has told Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN).
The altercation between Presidential Guards Brigade escorts and Naval Police ratings over alleged scratching of Navy’s Hilux truck.
In a trending 53-second video, a driver of a Hilux vehicle marked “Naval Police” was seen parking in the middle of the road and stepping down from his vehicle and exchanging words with another driver.
Moments later, after returning to his vehicle, a soldier bearing a rifle approached and threw a punch at the Naval Police driver, triggering a brawl.
The incident quickly escalated into a free-for-all, with personnel attached to both vehicles exchanging blows, while stunned civilians watched in disbelief.
But reacting to the embarrassing incident, officials of the Navy’s Central Naval Command (CNC) arrested the Naval rating and is currently in the Guard Room of NNS SOROH.
According to a source: “Following an order by Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command (CNC), the matter is already with the Officer of the Deck (OOD) of the base. It is expected to be before Commanding Officer’s (CO) desk on Monday morning for possible Court Martial.
“Already, a six-count charge is being prepared against the driver.”
The clash occurred as the President was leaving the venue of an official event during his visit to the State.
President Tinubu was in Bayelsa to commission projects, where he reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to tackle insecurity across the country.
He pledged sustained investment in the nation’s Armed Forces, stating that his government would continue to equip and train security personnel to confront insurgency, banditry, and other violent threats.