In March 2020, a video surfaced online showing Major General Olusegun Adeniyi, then Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, candidly addressing the dire situation Nigerian troops were facing in the fight against Boko Haram.
He revealed that the soldiers were severely outgunned, lacked adequate equipment, and were facing intelligence lapses—an unusual moment of transparency from a high-ranking officer.
The video quickly went viral, sparking nationwide outrage and sympathy for the troops. But instead of being hailed as a whistleblower, Adeniyi faced a swift and harsh backlash from military authorities. He was removed from his command, court-martialed, and found guilty of violating military procedures regarding public communication.
He was subsequently demoted by at least three ranks. His aide, Private Tokunbo Obanla, who allegedly uploaded the video from Adeniyi’s phone, was sentenced to 28 days in detention with hard labor.
Despite Adeniyi’s claim that he never authorized the video’s release, the military stood firm, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to unsanctioned disclosures—even when such disclosures spotlight legitimate operational challenges.
The Untold Story Behind the Leak
Major‑General Olusegun Adeniyi once held one of the Nigerian Army’s most prestigious posts—as Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the frontline effort against Boko Haram. In March 2020, a bombshell video leaked online. In it, he openly warned that Nigerian troops were “outgunned,” lacked crucial equipment, and were severely hampered by intelligence failures. The soldier’s plea for help struck a nerve—not just with the public, but deep within the military hierarchy.
From Commander to Court Martial
Within months, Adeniyi was relieved of his command, quietly redeployed to Abuja, and charged with violating military social media guidelines. His aide, Private Tokunbo Obanla, was also implicated. The court-martial, held in Abuja, found both guilty: Adeniyi was demoted by a minimum of three ranks, while Obanla received a 28-day jail sentence with hard labor. The tribunal cited unauthorized public disclosure of sensitive military concerns as the primary offense.
Fallout, Denials, and Silent Appeals
Adeniyi defended himself, insisting he did not leak the video personally—he claimed the phone belonged to his aide, Obanla, at the time. Obanla reportedly admitted in court that posting was an “error.” Both cases remain under the Nigerian Army Council’s review, with Adeniyi’s legal team planning an appeal.
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Leak That Rocked the System
Despite the public attention and explosive content of the video, the court martial was conducted with minimal fanfare. Many details remain obscured—“till this very day … no one knows” the full story behind the leak and the internal proceedings, as the original social media post put it.
Why It Matters
Transparency vs. Discipline: Adeniyi’s case underscores a tension at the heart of modern militaries—balancing honest reporting of battlefield realities with strict communication protocols.
Morale & Operational Capability: His accusations about lack of equipment and poor intelligence echo broader frustrations within the armed forces and among the public.
A Precedent Set: The demotion sends a clear message—public airing of internal weaknesses can carry severe consequences in the Nigerian military.