Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), has warned that any act of disrespect towards the uniformed services amounts to an affront on the authority of the Nigerian state.
General Irabor (retd), who stated this while commenting on the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a military officer, stressed that uniforms worn by military or security personnel go beyond the individual.
Speaking at the 21st All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) 2025 in Abuja on Thursday, specifically said that the uniform is not about who is wearing it; but it represents the authority of the state and symbolises the power, dignity, and sovereignty of the nation.
The former CDS called for restraint and respect, noting that the rule of law provides channels for redress if a soldier or police officer errs.
In the words of Irabor; “If the person in uniform misuses his authority, he will be dealt with, but the uniform itself must be respected. That’s what sustains order in a civilised society.
“Whether it’s a young officer or a senior one, when you make disparaging remarks or act against them, you are in fact insulting the state itself,” he stressed.
General Irabor emphasised that if citizens and leaders alike continue to disregard the symbols of state authority, Nigeria risks sliding into lawlessness.
He further said; “We must not turn our country into a jungle where everyone takes the law into their own hands. Respect the uniform. Respect what it stands for.
“No one, not even a General, has the right to physically assault or publicly humiliate a subordinate. Even as a General, I cannot slap my soldier. If I do, I will face disciplinary action. “There are laid-down mechanisms for addressing misconduct, and that is what distinguishes a state governed by law from a jungle,” he said.
Drawing from legal principles, Irabor emphasised that every offence must be viewed through two lenses: actus reus (the act itself) and mens rea (the intent behind it), saying that while the FCT minister has authority over land matters, the heart of the controversy lies in the respect owed to state authority as “embodied by uniformed officers.”
The former CDS expressed concern over what he described as the erosion of civic education and public understanding of national institutions.
According to him; “We’ve lost our educational traction. Things that were once taught in primary and secondary schools, like respect for institutions and understanding authority, are now forgotten.”
Irabor tasked the media to play a more constructive role, saying that careless reporting or commentary could erode public respect for security institutions.
“The media are the last men standing in the defence of the state. You may not have the sword, but your words carry immense power. Use them responsibly to strengthen, not weaken, the nation”.
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