A Nigerian soldier attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar in Minna, Niger State, has reportedly been arrested by military authorities after he appeared in military uniform on a TikTok live session begging a popular content creator, King Pedro, for financial assistance.

The arrest reportedly followed a viral video in which the soldier, while dressed in his official military camouflage, appealed for money during the livestream, prompting widespread criticism on social media.

Although attached to the Army Aviation Hangar in Minna, the soldier was said to have been apprehended at the 234 Battalion in Badagry, Lagos State, where he was staying at the time of the incident.

A senior military source familiar with the development, disclosed that the soldier’s actions attracted the attention of military authorities after King Pedro openly rebuked him during the livestream.

“What happened is that the particular soldier begged King Pedro for money online on Saturday. Instead of helping him, the civilian insulted him,” the source said.

The source further disclosed that King Pedro had similarly confronted another soldier during a separate TikTok live session.

“If you check the videos on King Pedro’s timeline, you will see another young soldier. That one told him he had spent just one year in the Army, and King Pedro also insulted him badly. I don’t know whether they have arrested that other one, but this one is a senior soldier. Only God knows his fate now,” the source added.

In a video recorded after his arrest, the soldier identified himself, saying: “I am in 234 Battalion, Badagry. I am attached to the Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar, Minna, in Niger State.”

During the viral TikTok session, King Pedro had asked the soldier whether he had eaten.

Responding, the soldier said, “Yes sir, I have not eaten.”

He also revealed that he had served in the Nigerian Army for five years and was deployed to Niger State.

King Pedro immediately criticised the soldier for soliciting money while wearing military uniform.

“You have been in the Army for five years, and you are wearing military uniform to come on live stream to beg for money. You don’t have respect for that uniform,” the influencer said.

He further warned the soldier that his conduct could attract severe disciplinary measures.

“They should lock you up and court-martial you. You are not supposed to wear Nigerian Army uniform and come on live stream begging for money. If you want to beg, wear civilian clothes. Don’t disgrace the Nigerian Army,” he added.

The incident has since sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians faulting the soldier for bringing the military into public disrepute, while others argued that the country’s economic challenges may have pushed him to seek financial help through social media.