Soldier Arrested For Killing Policeman in Lagos
The Nigerian Military has arrested one its personnel responsible for the death of one Nigerian Police officer, Inspector Saka Ganiyu.
The Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday, October 10.
The Headquarters 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has already began investigation into the incident.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 9 when police officers at a checkpoint at Volks Bus Stop arrested an ununiformed soldier driving against traffic.
The soldier was in an unregistered T4 Volkswagen commercial bus when flagged down.
After a faceoff, the soldier put a call across to some of his colleagues, who immediately trooped out of the Ojo Cantonment Barracks and pounced on the Policemen.
Inspector Ganiyu was terribly assaulted and subsequently rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
“Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) regrets to inform the public of an unfortunate incident that occurred on 9 October 2024 involving a soldier and a policeman following an altercation related to an alleged traffic rule violation,” the statement read.
“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,” the statement read in part.
The Army sent its condolences to the family of the deceased, citing it as an “unfortunate incident.”
“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,” the statement read.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, has also confirmed the tragic incident.
“Inspector Saka Ganiyu, killed in the line of duty by a Nigerian Army soldier on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 for attempting to stop a motorist (who later turned out to be a soldier) driving against traffic in the Ojo area of Lagos State,” the PPRO wrote on his official X handle.
