The Nigerian Army (NA) has described the beating of a policeman to death in Lagos State by some soldiers as unfortunate.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the soldiers from the Ojo Military Cantonment on Wednesday beat the policeman who was identified as Inspector Monday Orube to death in Lagos over right of way.
The soldiers numbering about thirty, were reported to have whisked two policemen who were working as traffic wardens to their barracks while the third officer managed to escape from being forcefully taken.
A source claimed that the lane through which the soldiers were driving in a Coaster bus was stopped by the three policemen who were on duty at the time of the incident to allow other road users on the other lane to pass not knowing that the Coaster bus was conveying soldiers who were still behind.
The soldiers got infuriated and insisted on taking one-way during an argument with the policemen. The source said they pounced on the policemen and beat them to a pulp.
Afterwards, the soldiers 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.
Reacting in a statement issued by Major Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director 81 Division Public Relations, the NA disclosed that the Division was already in touch with the Lagos State Police Command to resolve the matter.
The statement reads: “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 circumstances 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”.
When contacted on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundey in, confirmed the incident.
He 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 its sister agency (the army) involved in the incident are working together to resolve the issue.
