(Nigeria news ) Nigerian Army arrests soldier over k!lling of police officer in Lagos

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has commenced investigation into the incident that led to the k!lling of a police officer, Inspector Saka Ganiyu, following an altercation with soldiers in Lagos State. 

The soldier, who was not wearing his uniform, while driving an unregistered T4 Volkswagen commercial bus against the traffic, was stopped by policemen on enforcement duty at Volks Bus Stop on Thursday, October 9. 

An altercation ensued and the soldier contacted some of his colleagues, who reportedly trooped out of the Ojo Cantonment Barracks and attacked the policemen. 

Ganiyu sustained varying degrees of injury during the attack and was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for urgent treatment.

The Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, in a statement on Thursday, October 10, said the Division expressed regret over the incident.  

The statement added that the soldier involved in the incident has been arrested and handed over to the military police for investigation and disciplinary action.

“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 General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA commiserates with the family of the deceased and the Nigeria Police on this unfortunate incident.

“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.” 

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in a statement via his X handle. 

“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.