The Nigerian Army has reacted to the alleged killing of a newlywed soldier by a policeman in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
It was gathered that the soldier identified simply as Saheed was on mufti when he was killed by policemen at Odogunyan on Wednesday.
A source told newsmen that immediately the policemen realized that the victim was an army officer, they ran away to Ogijo police station.
An angry mob at Ogijo Community, a border town between Ogun and Lagos, were said to have attacked the police station following the death of the soldier who reportedly got married in November 2022.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday, February 16, by the 81 Division Nigerian Army Deputy Directors of Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni.
Ayeni said the victim (soldier) allegedly confronted the suspect (policeman) who was not properly dressed and standing very close to a patrol vehicle of Operation MESA to confirm his identity.
“This led to an argument and subsequently, the unfortunate incident. The soldier was immediately rushed to the Lagos State Polytechnic Hospital, Odogunyan for medical attention but he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
“The remains of the soldier have been moved to 174 Battalion Medical Centre in Ikorodu,” the army spokesperson added.
He said the suspect was arrested and kept in military custody for his safety and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria police force for prosecution.
“However, the angry mob who witnessed the unfortunate incident took advantage of this and attacked the police station in the community.
“Troops have been deployed around the vicinity of all police stations in Ikorodu area to prevent breakdown of law and order. The situation is under control as normalcy has returned to the community,” Ayeni said.
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KanyiDaily had also reported how a soldier, Saeed Sabo was detained in police custody for allegedly stabbing a 34-year-old man to death in Umuahia, Abia State.