The Nigerian Army has arrested Colonel Audu Ogli Achigili, a senior officer who recently accused top military officials of deliberately obstructing his promotion to Brigadier General despite decades of frontline service and international deployments.
Colonel Achigili was taken into custody on Monday morning when soldiers arrived at his residence and forcibly escorted him into a waiting vehicle in the presence of his family.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows the officer being pulled away by several individuals at the entrance of his home. His son could be heard crying out, “See how they are dragging my father,” as he watched the scene unfold.
In another video, his visibly distressed son protested the arrest, alleging that a sergeant had been paid to detain his father. “They want to kill my dad. They are taking him away. After working for the Nigerian Army for many years, they are taking him away,” he said.
Background: Officer Says His Promotion Was Deliberately Blocked
On Sunday, just hours before his arrest, Colonel Achigili publicly expressed anger and frustration, stating that his 2023 promotion approval by the Army Council had not been implemented. He claimed the delay was the result of a coordinated effort influenced by a land dispute in his home community.
The officer recounted an extensive service record spanning multiple commands and operations. He led the 82 Records Office in Abakaliki for three years, commanded the 73 Battalion in Kano, and headed Nigerian Battalion 38 (NIBATT 38) under the United Nations Mission in Liberia in 2017.
He also commanded Sector 3 Garrison in the North-East under Operation Hadin Kai for two years and participated in previous missions, including Operation Harmony in the Bakassi Peninsula, the African Union Mission in Darfur, and the restoration of order during the 2001 OPC crisis in Lagos. He narrowly escaped the Ikeja military cantonment bomb blast during that period.
Colonel Achigili said these efforts earned him multiple awards for “unblemished service.”
Despite this, he stated that his elevation to Brigadier General—already approved—was being withheld.
Allegations of Local Interference
The senior officer alleged that his stalled promotion stemmed from influence exerted by the district head of his Oglewu community in Benue State, Dr. John Ochai. According to him, the district head is a close associate of retired Maj. Gen. Gabriel Ochigbano, the former Military Secretary (Army), who he believes used his office to block the promotion over a land dispute in their village.
He added that his most recent promotion attempt also failed, claiming the system favored “their godsons” rather than officers who earned their place through service.
Concerns Over Leadership, Morale, and Promotion Practices
Colonel Achigili lamented what he described as a decline in leadership standards within the military, recalling that earlier chiefs of army staff prioritized the welfare of officers serving in conflict zones.
He expressed dismay that officers only marginally senior to him were issuing directives suggesting he prepare for retirement. He said such actions contradicted the integrity expected under the military oath.
He also criticized the latest promotion cycle from Brigadier General to Major General, asserting that it did not reflect merit or seniority. According to him, members of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 41st Regular Course were largely sidelined, with only two officers promoted—one of whom is deceased.
He argued that overlooking combatant officers while elevating others with limited field exposure weakens professionalism and morale within the Army.
Colonel Achigili further questioned why education officers were being promoted ahead of combat officers, citing declining standards in some military schools and the increasing practice of soldiers sending their children to private schools outside the barracks.
He warned that continuing these trends could undermine fairness, discipline, and long-term stability within the military.