The Nigerian Army has reacted to videos of its men assaulting Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, officials.
The army said it would begin a campaign for traffic compliance amongst its officers as no fewer than five yet-to-be-identified soldiers attacked an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency on Monday.
No fewer than 15 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA were injured in the crisis between them and some soldiers in Lagos, Vanguard reports.
It was gathered that trouble started last week Friday, 11 August, after a soldier was attacked by some LASTMA officials in Oshodi area of Lagos.
READ ALSO: Soldiers Batter LASTMA Officer In Reprisal Attack
An account had it that the unknown soldier was in a vehicle that was apprehended by LASTMA officials, for violating traffic rules.
The soldier reportedly intervened by appealing to the LASTMA officials to allow the driver of the vehicle go, because of him.
But all entreaties fell on deaf ears as all the passengers in the vehicle were ordered to alight, so they can take the vehicle to the LASTMA office in Oshodi.
An altercation between the soldier and LASTMA officials degenerated into a fight, during which the latter was out-numbered and overpowered.
He was seen being flogged and dragged on the ground by the LASTMA officials in a video that went viral.
Moments later, some soldiers stormed the area and attacked LASTMA officials on sight, an action that forced all the officials to leave Oshodi axis.
READ ALSO: LASTMA Arrests Fake Official Making N35,000 Daily
One of the commercial bus drivers playing Oshodi/ NAHCO route, Mr. Andrew James, who spoke with Vanguard, said: “LASTMA officials should be retrained on human relations.
“The attacked man was heard telling the officials that he had an iron in his hand. Even if he was not a soldier, no human being deserved to be treated that way.”
The reprisal attack by some soldiers continued over the weekend in Oshodi and Ojota areas of the state.
On Monday, 14 August, some persons in mufti, who claimed to be soldiers, were said to have stormed Ojota area of the State, inflicting injuries on unsuspecting LASTMA officials.
As at 1p.m., most of the officials had vacated their duty posts in major areas of Lagos, as news of the attack spread.
One of the officials at 7/8 Junction, Ajao Estate, was sighted removing his uniform to avoid being identified.
Speaking with Vanguard, he said: “I had to take this measure because if anyone is killed in the process, nothing will be done.
READ ALSO: Tricycle Operators Attack LASTMA Officers In Lagos, One Injured
“This case should have been resolved by now by both authorities. It should not be allowed to escalate.
“At least 15 of my colleagues have been wounded since this crisis started. My colleagues have vacated their posts because news went round that the soldiers were out for all LASTMA officials in Lagos.”
Reacting, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Army was working to educate its officials on the need to obey traffic laws.
He said: “I must say it is disturbing that the soldiers/LASTMA conflict is now one too many. The authorities of the Nigerian Army are genuinely concerned and are embarking on a vigorous sensitisation campaign to educate our personnel on the need to ensure compliance with traffic rules and promote synergy and interagency cooperation in Lagos State and around the country.
“To rein in our personnel, the military police have also been mandated to conduct Operation Checkmate by carrying out intermittent surveillance to identify and arrest personnel who violate traffic rules or are found engaging in any untoward activity. The altercations are pointing to the fact that there is a need to strengthen interagency cooperation amongst the security agencies in Lagos.
“Those enforcing the rules must equally be sensitised not to take laws into their hands by physically assaulting or battering offenders. This, more often than not, escalates the situation and results in a violent confrontation.”
On his part, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Olabisi Ayeni, told PUNCH Metro in a WhatsApp chat that the Army was investigating Friday’s incident.
“I am aware that LASTMA personnel attacked a soldier in uniform on Friday. An investigation into the issue is ongoing,” Ayeni simply stated on Monday.
Speaking, the spokesperson for LASTMA, Taofeek Adebayo, who confirmed Monday’s video through a telephone interview with Vanguard correspondent, said LASTMA would respond in due time.
“Be patient with me; it is a sensitive matter. I have to get clearance,” Adebayo simply said on Monday.