Army arrests soldier who killed policeman in Lagos

Headquarters 81 Division of the Nigerian Army says it has taken into custody, a soldier accused of killing a policeman in Lagos. Daily Trust had reported how a soldier from Ojo Cantonment accosted for driving against the traffic around Volks Bus Stop, along the Ojo Iyana Iba Road area of Lagos State, on Wednesday. stabbed […]

Headquarters 81 Division of the Nigerian Army says it has taken into custody, a soldier accused of killing a policeman in Lagos.

Daily Trust had reported how a soldier from Ojo Cantonment accosted for driving against the traffic around Volks Bus Stop, along the Ojo Iyana Iba Road area of Lagos State, on Wednesday. stabbed a policeman identified as Saka Ganiyu to death.

As at the time of the incident, the soldier who was driving an unregistered T4 Volkswagen commercial bus, was moving against traffic.

The killing of the policeman happened barely 24 hours after some soldiers attacked some state government officials who were assigned to pull down illegal structures built on the fence of Yaba Tech.

The Headquarters 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, in charge of Lagos and Ogun States, described the killing of the policeman as regrettable and unfortunate incident.

A statement issued by Lieutenant colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Deputy Director Army Public Relations for the 81 Division, said the soldier who is 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. The General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA commiserates with the family of the deceased and the Nigeria Police on this unfortunate incident.”

“The 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.

“We 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” he said.