The Nigerian military has once again been plunged into a storm of controversy following the reported abduction and torture of an activist popularly known as Justice Crack, who was allegedly chained to a tree under the scorching sun for over 72 hours by army personnel.

His "crime," according to family sources and viral reports, was speaking out against the gruesome extrajudicial killing of a Nigerian man by soldiers in his own home, as well as highlighting the poor welfare of rank-and-file soldiers.  

In a heart-wrenching video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user @drkenon2 on Saturday and seen by SaharaReporters, a woman believed to be a relative of the victim was seen weeping and lamenting the excruciating conditions Justice is being subjected to.

The visibly traumatised woman questioned the descent of the country into a "police state" where citizens are punished for demanding accountability.

“Justice has been under the sun. He was tied to a tree and he was left outside for 72 hours and he's been tortured by the military. What's his crime? His crime is that he spoke for the oppressed Nigerians,” she cried out.

She further alleged that Justice had become a target because he exposed the "brutal murder" of a civilian by soldiers and advocated for the "impoverished" soldiers who have been abandoned by the military high command.

“When are we going to finally fight for our voice? We don't have a voice anymore. Nothing is working well in the country and it can be anybody tomorrow,” she added.

The report has triggered a wave of condemnation on social media, with Nigerians accusing the military of selective justice and institutional oppression.

While many called for his immediate release, others pointed out the ethnic and political undertones often associated with military crackdowns in the country.

An X user, @justkachi, noted: "This same military didn't go after an Islamic cleric that threatened the First Lady with death... The only reason Justice Crack is being treated this way is because he's of Igbo stock."

@Kel2vin questioned the legality of the military’s actions: "Does the military have the right to kidnap a citizen? When will the youth get to their elastic limit?"

@carpusdew knocked the government, stating, "If Nigeria had a true President and leader, the Army would be mandated to release him and the officers responsible for his abduction would be queried."

However, the report also drew comments from government sympathizers and those suspicious of the activist’s motives. Some users suggested he might have been "abetting coup plotters" or seeking to "sow division" within the armed forces because of political grievances stemming from the 2023 elections.

One user, @Olusola70406607, wrote: "His crime may be that he’s speaking for terrorists... The information he got about the military, who gave it to him? What’s the agenda?"

The abduction of Justice Crack is the latest in a series of incidents where the Nigerian military has been accused of bypassing the police and the judiciary to "discipline" civilians who criticize the institution.

From the detention of journalists to the "invitation" of whistleblowers, the General Christopher Musa-led defense headquarters has faced mounting pressure to rein in personnel who use state weapons to settle personal or institutional scores.

The campaign #FreeJusticeCrackNow continues to gain momentum as Nigerians demand he be handed over to the police if any crime has indeed been committed.