Military denies holding Justice Crack in detention

The Nigerian Army has issued a statement confirming that Justice Mark Chidiebere, also known as Justice Crack, a popular blogger and social media influencer, is no longer in their custody, following concerns about his reported arrest in Abuja.

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The Army's Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, released the statement on Saturday, explaining that Chidiebere was initially apprehended alongside some soldiers after a social media post about welfare and feeding complaints within the military.

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This social media post triggered an internal review, looking into a possible breach of the Armed Forces' Social Media Policy and allegations of attempting to misinform the public, according to the Army.

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Preliminary findings indicated that the soldiers had conversations with Chidiebere about various issues, including matters sensitive to military discipline and cohesion.

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Some of these interactions allegedly bordered on incitement, with claims that the influencer encouraged discontent among personnel and discussed issues deemed subversive, the military authorities alleged.

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The statement noted that civilians cultivating vulnerable personnel towards subversive acts has significant implications for discipline and national security, highlighting the severity of the situation.

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The Army stated that while the soldiers involved remain in military custody for further investigation, Chidiebere has been transferred to civil authorities for continued probe and possible prosecution.

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This clarification aims to address public speculation surrounding Chidiebere's whereabouts and the circumstances of his arrest, providing an update on the situation.

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The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to due process and adherence to the rule of law in handling the matter, emphasizing its dedication to accountability and collaboration with relevant security agencies.

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The Army added that it will continue to act within the law to safeguard the country's sovereignty, reiterating its position on the matter.

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The incident has sparked online conversations about military welfare, freedom of expression, and the boundaries of civilian engagement with serving personnel, as investigations into the matter continue.