The Nigerian Army has confirmed that some of its personnel on Wednesday beat a police officer to death in Ojo area of Lagos State.
It was gathered that the soldiers numbering about thirty, were reported to have whisked two policemen who were working as traffic wardens to their barracks while a third officer managed to escape from being forcefully taken.
A source who narrated the ordeal claimed that the three police officers stopped the lane through which the soldiers were driving in a Coaster bus that was still behind unknowingly to the police officers while controlling the flow of traffic to allow other road users on the other lane.
He said the soldiers got infuriated and insisted on taking one way when an argument ensued.
The source said the soldiers pounced on the policemen and beat them to a pulp, noting that afterwards, they forcefully took two of the policemen to their barracks where the beating continued.
The source further said when the soldiers noticed that the abducted policemen had become unconscious, they decided to take them to their hospital at the cantonment.
However, one of the policemen, Inspector Monday Orube, unfortunately, gave up the ghost on Thursday afternoon.
Another source further disclosed that the soldiers who were going to their cantonment in a Coastal bus, were stopped by the policemen and they got angry and asked why civilians will be allowed to pass before them.
“One of them was unconscious and they were both taken to their hospital, ” the source said.
“The officers were kidnapped while their rifles which included two AK-47, with over seventy rounds of ammunition were in the custody of the soldiers since Wednesday when the incident happened,” he said.
It was gathered that the soldiers involved in this unlawful act were said to be among the lowest in rank and had only spent four years in service while the policemen are senior officers with over twenty years in service.
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The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, while confirming the incident said, “It is true that an incident occurred between our officers and some soldiers numbering up to thirty on Wednesday around Ojo area of the state.”
He, however, said that the Command and the Army are working together to resolve the issue.
Reacting to the incident, Major Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations of 81 Division, in a statement on Friday said the Division is already in touch with the Lagos State Police Command with a view to resolving the matter.
Osoba said the incident was regrettable while noting that the Division has instituted a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding it.
He assured that anyone found wanting would be dealt with in accordance with the Division’s zero tolerance for any misconduct.
“The attention of the 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a story online over the unfortunate incident that occurred between some soldiers and policemen around Ojo in Lagos resulting in the loss of the life of a police officer. The Division is already in touch with the Lagos State Police Command to resolve the matter.
“This incident is highly regrettable given the Division’s disposition and zero tolerance for any misconduct. Accordingly, the Division has instituted a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstance surrounding the unfortunate incident.
“At the end of the investigation, anyone found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the disciplinary provisions. Consequently, the Division wishes to commiserate with the Ojo Police Division and members of the family of the victim,” Osoba stated.
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