Nigerian Army arrests Colonel after allegations of sabotaged promotion

Colonel Audu Achigili of the Nigerian Army has reportedly been arrested days after publicly accusing senior officers of deliberately obstructing his promotion to the rank of brigadier general.

According to a report by Sahara Reporters, Achigili was picked up on Monday morning at his residence in the presence of his family.

His arrest came barely 24 hours after he openly alleged that top military figures had sabotaged his career progression.

In the earlier interview, the officer claimed that although the Army Council approved his elevation to brigadier general in 2023, the promotion was never implemented.

Achigili, who said he had served on several frontlines—including the insurgency-plagued North-east and international missions—expressed frustration that his years of service had not been justly rewarded.

He attributed his stalled promotion to a land dispute in his hometown, Oglewu community in Benue State.

According to him, the local clan head influenced retired Major General Gabriel Ochigbano, a former Military Secretary of the Nigerian Army, whom he accused of using his position to push for his compulsory retirement.

Achigili further criticised the army’s recent promotion exercise, alleging that officers of the 41 Regular Course were sidelined in favour of their juniors.

He described the trend as demoralising and damaging to institutional integrity.

“Only two officers from the course were promoted, and one of them is deceased,” he claimed, adding that some officers who avoid warfront duties consistently benefit from the system due to powerful sponsors.

A video shared by his family reportedly shows soldiers dragging the colonel into a waiting vehicle as his distraught son protested, accusing the military of targeting his father.

The boy could be heard crying out, “See how they are dragging my father… They want to kill my dad.”

It remains unclear whether Achigili’s arrest is directly linked to his public accusations regarding the alleged suppression of his promotion or the recent promotion exercise.

PREMIUM TIMES made attempts to reach the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Apollonia Anele, for confirmation, but her line was unreachable as of the time of filing this report.

A text message sent to her phone also received no response.