By Our Correspondent
National News – A confrontation between soldiers and naval personnel in Bayelsa State disrupted parts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official engagements on Friday, after a heated exchange escalated into a physical altercation involving uniformed officers attached to security convoys.
A viral 53-second video circulating online showed personnel arguing beside Hilux vehicles marked for naval operations before tensions rose sharply.
A naval police driver was seen stepping out of his vehicle to exchange words with another driver.
Moments later, after returning to his seat, a soldier approached and struck him, triggering a broader clash that quickly drew in other members of both the Army and the Navy.
Bystanders watched in shock as the situation spiralled into a free-for-all involving multiple officers.
Efforts by a few personnel to separate the fighters appeared unsuccessful as the confrontation spread across the immediate area, with shouting and chaotic movement around the convoy vehicles.
Civilians nearby were left stunned as the security breach unfolded in a highly sensitive location during a presidential engagement.
The cause of the disagreement has not been officially confirmed, and neither the Nigerian Army nor the Nigerian Navy has issued a detailed statement at the time of reporting.
The confrontation reportedly occurred as the presidential convoy was departing a venue where Tinubu had earlier commissioned projects in the state.
President Tinubu’s visit to Bayelsa included engagements aimed at strengthening federal presence and infrastructure delivery in the region.
During the trip, he restated his administration’s commitment to improving national security, pledging continued investment in military hardware, personnel welfare, and inter-agency cooperation to tackle insurgency, banditry, and other threats.
He further emphasized the need for improved coordination among security agencies, especially during high-profile events, as part of broader reforms aimed at reducing operational friction and enhancing rapid response capabilities across the armed forces.
Authorities are expected to review the incident as part of ongoing efforts to maintain discipline among security operatives during high-level state assignments in line with military discipline protocols nationwide.
