A civil society organisation, the Centre for Civil Relations, Open Dialogue and Development (C-CODED), has linked Lance Corporal Festus Igenkhai, a soldier who recently made allegations against senior military officers on social media, to a plot to destabilise Nigeria’s national security.
C-CODED described Igenkhai’s claims as “deliberately misleading, defamatory, and orchestrated to incite distrust within the military and among the Nigerian public.” The group alleged that Igenkhai is being used by unidentified actors to carry out a broader campaign of misinformation.
The organisation highlighted Igenkhai’s disciplinary record, stating that he deserted duty, flouted the military chain of command, and violated armed service rules. C-CODED called for Igenkhai’s swift re-arrest and prosecution for desertion and gross misconduct.
The group urged authorities to investigate those behind the viral allegations and called on media organisations to uphold verification standards before disseminating sensitive claims online.
C-CODED reaffirmed its support for the Nigerian Armed Forces, stating, “Nigeria must not become a society where deserters are celebrated while those who serve loyally are vilified.
