Army Investigating Soldiers For Allegedly Killing Policeman In Lagos

The Nigerian Army is investigating the unfortunate incident of a soldier who reportedly stabbed a policeman along the Ojo Iyana Iba Road area of Lagos State and stabbed a policeman, Saka Ganiyu.

According to a document detailing the circumstances that led to the incident, the officer, Saka Ganiyu had accosted a soldier attached to the Ojo Cantonment Barracks for driving against the traffic around the Volks Bus Stop.

The soldiers clad in mufti, riding on an unregistered T4 Volkswagen commercial appeared to have fallen out with the officers on enforcement duty, leading to an alternation between security personnel.

One of the soldiers, subsequently, contacted his colleagues from the Ojo Cantonment Barracks who allegedly trooped out to attack the policemen, during which Ganiyu was stabbed.

โ€œHowever, the injured Inspector (Saka Ganiyu) later died in the hospital while undergoing treatment. The corpse was deposited at the hospitalโ€™s morgue for preservation and autopsy.

โ€œMeanwhile, the Commander 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, has been contacted and the erring soldier was taken into custody at their base,โ€ the document read.

Reacting to the situation in a statement on Thursday, the Army expressed its regret over the alleged traffic rule violation by a soldier, leading to the death of the policeman.

Noting that the case is presently under investigation, the Headquarters 81 Division said, the soldier suspected to have committed the offence has since been apprehended and handed over to the Military Police for investigation and further disciplinary procedures.โ€

The statement signed by its Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lieu.-Col Olabisi Ayeni read partly: โ€œThe incident is highly regrettable, given the Divisionโ€™s commitment to the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement.โ€

โ€œThe Nigerian Army has continuously sensitised its personnel not to engage in activities that would tarnish its image and bridge the trust with other security agencies as well as the civil populace.

โ€œThe General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA commiserates with the family of the deceased and the Nigeria Police on this unfortunate incident.

โ€œThe Division reassures the general public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken to ensure that justice is served.

โ€œWe will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to ensure security of lives and property in line with the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army.โ€

Lagos has recorded some cases of attacks between personnel of the Army and Police in the line of duty.

In August 2022, an Inspector serving with the Lagos State Police Command, Orukpe Monday, died after sustaining injuries during torture by soldiers.

Monday and colleagues were said to have been attacked in the Trade Fair area of the state.

The soldiers were reportedly on their way to a training programme at the Ojo Military Cantonment when they realised the slow movement of their vehicle

However, when attempting to ascertain the cause, the soldiers, upon realising that policemen had stopped the vehicles ahead of them, got down and started challenging them.

The situation escalated and led to Mondayโ€™s arrest and the torture that reportedly claimed his life.