The enforcement team of the Ikoyi/Victoria Island Clean-up Committee of the Lagos State Government were attacked on Tuesday by some military personnel at the Bonny Camp on the Victoria Island.
In a statement on Wednesday, the government said the clean up team had visited the roundabout and under bridge opposite Bonny Camp which served as a depot, store and distribution point for goods sold on the streets.
Immediately the exercise commenced, the operatives were confronted by some uniformed soldiers who assaulted them for conducting a raid near a military facility.
The officials had on Tuesday visited the roundabout and under the bridge opposite the Bonny Camp, which served as a store and distribution point for goods sold on the streets,” the statement reads.
“Immediately the exercise commenced, the operatives were confronted by some uniformed military personnel, who prevented them from seizing the items and taking them away.
“The military personnel, some of whom were in mufti, questioned the audacity of the Lagos State Government officials to conduct raids near a military facility and resorted to beating up all identified officials of the state in sight.
“The action of the military men emboldened some of the street traders, who resorted to hurling stones and other dangerous items at the officials, who were on official duty.
“Attempts were made to smash the video camera of one of the television stations attached to the enforcement team, while a public affairs officer was also assaulted and had his mobile phone damaged.”
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Tunji Bello, expressed sadness at the action of the uniformed men.
Bello, who is also the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, said as part of the proactive measures taken by the committee, letters of intents were written to the various military and police formations to inform them of the operations in Ikoyi and VI.
This is coming just a few days after some Nigerian Soldiers were caught on camera flogging officers of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in public.