Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade does not deserve the Nigerian Navy uniform

My attention was drawn to the following story, on 6th November 2008:

On the third of November 2008 on Muhri Okunola Street, Victoria Island Lagos, the traffic was chaotic. A young lady (Uzoma Okere) driving home from work didn’t move her vehicle out of the way of a military convoy on time, resulting severe beatings by armed Nigerian Navy men. The convoy consisted of Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade’s personal Navy saloon car and his pilot truck, consisting of 6 armed bodyguards. The body guards in the process physically beat up several Price WaterHouse Coopers staff and destroyed cameras that were filming the event as it unfolded. The video clip was recorded from the PricewaterHouseCoopers office on a personal camera.

This is the lady’s side of the story, as reported by PM News:

She said the officers had asked her to stop since their boss was on the same road. ”I tried to move my car to the left side of the road but before I knew what was happening, one of them  came out of a car in the convoy of the naval officer and whipped me while I was still seated in my car.

“I came out and I held on to the whip. Four other ratings rushed at me, held  my hands and tried to put a handcuff on me. “One of them tore my shirt. I tried to adjust it and get back into the car but they whipped me,” she narrated, adding that a man who tried to challenge them, was hit on the head with the butt of a gun.

“They dragged out the other ladies in my car, both of them were pregnant women and beat them up. “While all this was going on, they pulled me into the compound where the Rear Admiral had driven into and I was screaming for someone to call my dad. One of my colleagues got the phone and called my father,” she said.

Professor Wole Soyinka was reported as saying:

“This abominable kind of conduct has got to stop. This animal conduct on the part of our uniformed services must end.”

ThisDay reports that President Umaru Yar’Adua (who preaches about the rule of law) has ordered that the Navy investigates the matter.

There is video evidence that should be admitted in court (or military tribunal). The men must all be sacked from the Navy and they must face justice. Shame on any man/woman who abuses their authority!

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Oluniyi D. Ajao
Oluniyi D. Ajao is an Internet Entrepreneur and Tech Enthusiast based in South Africa. Follow him on twitter @niyyie for more tech updates.

32 Comments

  1. I can’t believe David Nabaida would even dare to load Nigerian’s with such lies. If he watch that clip, he would never give such stories.

    Someone should please do something to those animals that hurt that lady. Were they unconscious of the fact that that was a lady? How many men against 1 lady.

    Animals…. Their Boss…. Birds of a feather, I am certain he was aware of the happenings. Such animalistic character should be seriously dealt with.

    We do not need such people in Nigeria. Animals!

    What’s with the siren blowing on Lagos road with heavy traffic anyway? We are all going “somewhere”. Moreover, there is no body standing by to harm them while they are in their cars… so Siren is one major nuisance in this town (Lagos).

    Animals!

  2. This is really Inhuman,i dont think that the so called stupid Harry Arogundade has a family..He must be a sadist.And he and his Zombi fellows will never embrace good things in their life,ans so shall it be.

  3. THOSE BASTARDS DO NOT DESERVE TO WALK FREELY ON THE STREET, THEY NEED TO BE KEPT IN A ZOO WHERE THEY BELONG, THEY ARE A NATIONAL DISGRACE TO THEMSELVES TO THEIR MOTHER (IF THEY HAVE ONE) AND TO THE COUNTRY THEY THINK THEY SERVE.
    THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND BRING ALL OF THEM TO BOOK PLUS THEIR BOSS, BECAUSE BY WATCHING THE VIDEO THOSE ANIMALS MUST HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG TIME

  4. This character, Harry Arogundade, is an example of the kind of leadership that keeps Nigeria backward. This is the reason that an Obama would find it extremely difficult to come out from Nigeria in Nigeria. We no longer need such leaders. The quality of brains we have all over the world is too great for us to be led by these type of backward focused people.

    I salute the courage of Miss Okere.She is a leader in the making.

  5. what do expect from animals in human skin? and their stupid leader harry or larry who must have ridden to power on the wings of fellow bandits like ibb, abacha and obj? isnt that their code of conduct in the military? raw abuse of power of the stupid uniform? at a time when a decent black man has actualised his dream of becoming US president, these illitrates and their zombie foot soldiers unleash terror on ordinary citizens-if their so powerful, why not challenge armed robbers? Or pirates? Or the gendarmes across bakassi? surely harry’s wife and daughters will suffer similar fates and their end will not be good. as for harry that is orchestrating evil, he will watch it happen to the females in his family when God strips him of power and makes an abominable end of him and erases him from history. Those ratings will die in the street like common thieves which is what they are

  6. I think something really needs to be done about the way our millitary men treat we civillains. In other parts of the world the naval admiral or whatever he is would be charged. I think he should be stripped of his rank or demoted to serve as a deterent to other ones because i can teall you that this bravado and abuse of power which we the task payers pay for their service has to stop

  7. Do you blame the westerners when they look at us (black Africans) with all our degrees and achievements and still refer to us as animals? The said lady herself is one of great influence,this happens to ordinary nigerians everyday and nobody loses any sleep so why all the hoolabaloo about this one? only because her father is or used to be in the military that’s why. Well at least it’s a start. I suggest our service men need an intensive training program in civility ( if they know what the word means)!!

  8. I am astonished watching the movie. It filled me with horror and also brings to fore the level of inhumanity in our country. This emphasizes the lack of self respect, discipline and civility in this Nigeria. This is a clear demonstration of Man´s inhumanity to man. Perhaps this is a final call for the leadership of this Nation to do more on human right and a final call to Nigerians to stop being docile and take the Nation which truly belongs to us. It is not enough to sit and complain, take up the battle as Ghandi, Mandela, Mary Slessor and so many other fighters for values in the world. Arise from your sleep Nigerians, tomorrow it may be you!

  9. 😥 This is disgusting. How can people being clothed with tax payers money disrobe a lady in the public? They sure ought to be severely punished so that it will serve as a deterrent for any public officer that imagines such evil.
    Sometimes, I really wonder if Nigerians are really considered as citizens in our own country. May God bless the fellow that captured the ugly incidence on video. They would have denied it if not for the video. This evil must not be swept under the carpet. Those officers must be made to face the wrath of law. Even if they were asked to apprehend a criminal, such inhuman treatment cannot be condone in a civil society. I pray that God will grant the lady quick recovery from both the physical and psychological damage. This act is un-proudly_Nigerian 😥

  10. I couldn’t believe when i sawe this clip from where i am resided outside the country ..CAN YOU IMAGINE ?? what kind of power is this one again now …whatever his name is ..deserves to a death sentence without trial ..bastards .!! dainting Nigeria’s name …all in the name of power ..

  11. 😯 Can someone please tell Arogundade that he has acted true to his name (see war and collect crown) but in the most shameful way. Is this the kind of battles his mates are collecting crown for? Haba! He has no shame.
    Will he go home and somebody call him daddy and he will answer? Is he married in the first place and one woman has endured this for God knows how long? Does he realise the emotional trauma his children will be going through now being labelled the son/daughter of the man who beats ladies up in the open? I dont think so.
    For me, en, my message is ‘iku ya jesin lo o’-(death is easier than living with shame) Q. E. D. Animal!!!

  12. I was shocked when I heard and when I read the full story I couldn’t help but to feel sorry for our systems. In every facet there is always evidence of our failures. To think that some bloody ratings could do that to a lady and a good citizen for that matter is disheartening.
    This “animalistic” behavior by the so called “zombis” is uncalled for and I only hope justice will prevail and it won’t be business as usual.
    🙁

  13. Its unfortunate- but lets be careful how we judge this matter becuase the fact that that young lady held unto the Naval officer’s whip could have provocked them further. I am in no way justifying their actions. I believe the gilty e dealth with within the ambits of the law but I also seriously advise that we accord our uniform personnel their due regards.

  14. @Dan Owie: You said:

    but lets be careful how we judge this matter becuase the fact that that young lady held unto the Naval officer’s whip could have provocked them further.

    And I suppose that you think it is both constitutional, decent or justifiable for a naval officer to use a whip on an unarmed, defenceless civilian lady on the streets of a country that is not at war?

    There is no justification for what these godless bullies did. None whatsoever. They are guilty on all counts.

  15. The reason for beating up the pregnant women????????????????????
    Why was she whipped??????????????????????????????
    And wat will be done to those hyenas????????????

  16. I think this is inhuman especially in the this century the world is in. That Rear admiral Arogundade, should be stripped of his job and sentenced to jail, he is a disgrace.He watched and did nothing at all.His naval guides should also be dealt with mercilessly. Ms Okere is not a criminal but a law abiding citizen.Arogundade is old military stock and should be thought a lesson.Such an old fat, I hope he will he be happy if this happens to his Daughter or wife? This is a test for the so called democracy. Yaradua should act now.Make this rear admiral Pay.

  17. I am an Army Officer,for such a very senior officer to supervise such barbaric behaviour on a lady by his men he must be made to face the laws.This is unacceptable in any civilised soceity and more so in a discipplined institution of the Armed Forces.It is a shame to the Colours.My heartfelt sympathy to this poor lady and the family.THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES MUST ACT NOW.

  18. mmmmmm, Harry Arogundade, Miss Okere.
    Ok, first of all. This is totally inhuman, but has anyone stopped to think if this is just a retribution to what Miss Okere’s father might done to less powerless civilian in his own days?
    Someone already commented above that Arogundade’s wife and daughters will surely safe fate one day …was this same prayer casted upon Miss Okere’s father?
    Anyway my people, maybe this is where we start our CHANGE!!!!
    I HAVE A DREAM!!!!

  19. hhhhmmmmmm, Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade, Miss Uzoma Okere.
    Ok, first of all. This is totally inhuman and the height of positionism, but has anyone stopped to think if this is just a retribution to what Miss Okere’s father might have done to less powerless civilian in his own days?
    Someone already commented above that

    Arogundade’s wife and daughters will surely suffer same fate one day

    …was this same prayer casted upon Miss Okere’s father?
    Anyway my people, maybe this is where we start our CHANGE!!!!
    80 – 90% of the Naija populace has under-gone this at one time or the other. I know it has happened to me when I was still based there, but thanks heaven we have camera phones now… but do we have a just system that will dish out the appropriate?
    I HAVE A DREAM!!!!

  20. I will not have much to say about this story for now. But one thing is sure in Nigeria. The day all inhabitants of Nigeria including all the so called leaders truly becomes subject to the law of the land (if there is any), and the rule of law is genuinely in its place, then, there will be change. God bless Nigeria. It is unfortunate that it is only animals that behave this way. So, I will not argue defenselessly with any white man that believs that Nigerians are animals, even though, I know that it is not true for all Nigerians but few. I think the lady should actually thank God that she was not killed. I think it is worth it in a country where a top government official who was supposed to be carrying justice was assasinated, and virtually nothing was done about it. So, she is lucky. Let’s just continue to gdo our own right bits and pass the virtues to our children. One day (we might not all be here because it might not be in this our own generation), Nigeria will be one of the best countries in the world. God bless you all and God bless Nigeria.

  21. Am sorry bout what happend but what goes around does come around.First that is not a way to treat a lady no matter what the situation may be,secondly i remeber i was in nigeria for two weeks in december 2004 shorly b4 her father an officer in the nigeria army asked his men/boys to beat people standing outside the national assembly,they beat my friend to an extent he spent 4 hrs at the hospital ,nobody saw that .All our military men either rating or officers are all the same,we need a total orientatin in nigeria,as soon as i realized she was the daughter of this so called babaric officer who sent his men to beat innocent citizen cos he was the chief security officer of the natuional assembly says to much about the law of KARMA

  22. @ OLA

    But one thing is sure in Nigeria. The day all inhabitants of Nigeria including all the so called leaders truly becomes subject to the law of the land (if there is any), and the rule of law is genuinely in its place, then, there will be change

    AMEN to that brother. AMEN!!

    God Bless (and Save) Nigeria.

  23. When the police and co realise they are subject to the law just like us all, then things will be right. An average uniformed personnel in Nigeria thinks he is the law itself. He believes anything he does is right.

    Government should think about properly training and recruiting educated people into these services. Illiteracy is part of the problem.

  24. Ati Arogundade ati awon eranko ti o ko ehin ati idile re patapata, soponna ni o maa pawon. Won ko ni jere ise owo won lailai

  25. I will be glad if such video is also uploaded to nigeriadotcom.com. Niyi you are really doing a good job. These animals need to be civilized.

    Thanks for all this information.

  26. I av nthg 2 say but 2 say god help us,maybe the though okere was fela kuti that the use anyhw the like bcose they ar unfom men,i bliv God wants 2 pay them back.

  27. I am totally surprised to read people’s comment, after watching the clip. Wonderless, Nigeria is still backward. Orders are supposed to be obeyed. Looking at the clip, the lady in question was proving sturbborn. A man tried to maker her leave, but insisted and still followed the Navy boys with abusive words, I beleive. She had let go her top deliberately. To prove her point, she should have voluntarily followed, but she wanted to prove a point and this brought about what happened. If the admiral boys had the siren on and asked her to move aside, please obey the authority, even the holy book said this. Let us judge with our brains and not from the heart, why throw blames at Admiral Arogundade?

  28. Pls, if anybody have to make this right, is nobody but our leaders. There is a saying that says what goes around comes back around no matter how long. Ms, pls take heart and try to be easy with unfriendly men next time don’t do anything to step on their shoes. And as 4 henrry next time try to make a better and responsible leader 4 our dear nation NIGERIA

  29. Pls, if anybody have to make this right, is nobody but our leaders. There is a saying that says what goes around comes back around no matter how long. Ms, pls take heart and try to be easy with unfriendly men next time don’t do anything to step on their shoes. And as 4 harry next time try to make a better and responsible leader 4 our dear nation NIGERIA

  30. Harry u are the most increadible man i have ever read of, it is striaght that u do not have human feelings even if u don’t have it. If u were to be the governor the lagos state or edo state are u saying if u are coming to the plateform to address the people, u will have them killed before u get their that is to say ur ways can’t make u a further leader in this country anymore pls go and change ur attitude towards the u are meet to protect and stop killing them. May God help ur life

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