Personnel of the Nigerian military were caught in a public brawl in Bayelsa State on Friday, drawing outrage after a video of the incident surfaced online.
The altercation reportedly occurred during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was in the state to commission key projects and engage with stakeholders.
In the now-viral 53-second clip, a driver of a Hilux vehicle marked “Naval Police” is seen stepping out of his vehicle and exchanging heated words with another driver, believed to be a soldier. Tensions escalated moments later when a soldier, carrying a rifle, approached and threw a punch at the Naval Police driver. 
The confrontation quickly spiraled into a free-for-all, with personnel from both sides trading blows in full view of stunned civilians who had gathered nearby.
Eyewitnesses said the clash occurred as the presidential convoy was departing the venue of an official event, raising concerns about discipline within the armed forces, especially during high-profile state functions.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the altercation remains unclear, and there has been no official statement from military authorities regarding the incident.
The development has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians describing the incident as embarrassing and unprofessional, particularly given the presence of the Commander-in-Chief in the state.
During his visit, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing insecurity across the country. He emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of the armed forces through improved funding, equipment, and training to tackle insurgency, banditry, and other security threats.
The incident, however, has raised fresh questions about coordination and discipline among security personnel tasked with maintaining order during such critical engagements.
