Soldier allegedly stabs policeman to death over traffic dispute
•Suspect in our custody, investigation ongoing —Army
Tragedy struck, on Wednesday, at Volks bus stop at the Ojo/Iyana-Iba road, Lagos, following an alleged attack by some soldiers on a team of policemen, resulting in the death of one of the policemen, Inspector Saka Ganiyu, attached to the Task Force Unit, Oshodi Base.
The police team, who were on enforcement duty, reportedly accosted an unregistered T4 Volkswagen commercial bus driving against traffic, driven by the soldier in mufti.
An argument between the soldier and the policemen ensued, during which the driver who later identified himself as a soldier, called on his colleagues from Ojo Cantonment Barracks, who stormed the scene and attacked the police team with dangerous weapons.
A reinforcement team of policemen swiftly arrived at the scene and repelled the soldiers. By then, Inspector Ganiyu had allegedly been stabbed by the soldier and was bleeding profusely.
Police sources hinted that he was rescued and rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH Ikeja, for treatment, where he later died.
As of the time of this report, the corpse of the policeman had been deposited at the LASUTH morgue, while the soldier alleged to have stabbed the policeman to death was taken into custody at the 9Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment.
When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations officer, SP Benjamin Hudenyin said investigation into the matter was still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Army Authorities have described the incident as regrettable, assuring members of the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted and appropriate disciplinary measures taken to ensure justice.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said the “Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) regrets to inform the public of an unfortunate incident that occurred on October 9, 2024, involving a soldier and a policeman following an altercation related to an alleged traffic rule violation
“The incident, which is presently under investigation, escalated and resulted in the death of the policeman. 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.
“The incident is highly regrettable, given the Division’s commitment to the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement. The Nigerian Army has continuously sensitized 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.”(PUNCH)
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