The Nigerian Army said it would launch a traffic compliance programme among its personnel after five unidentified soldiers attacked a Lagos State Traffic Management Agency worker on Monday.
A 31-second viral video showed soldiers wearing scarves to cover their identity, as well as at least two civilians, one of whom was also wearing a mask, attacking one of the agency’s officers.
While the LASTMA official screamed for mercy, one of the soldiers kicked him with his boot.
Despite his request for mercy, the troops and villagers converged on him, and the official, who was rolling on the ground with a shredded LASTMA outfit, was brutally kicked before the soldiers and civilians abandoned the scene.
Meanwhile, a separate 16-second video seen on Monday showed a LASTMA official dragging a soldier out of the front seat of a commercial bus and beating him with his stick.
Though the cause of the brawl was yet to be ascertained as of press time, it is unclear whether the two incidents were related.
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, said 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 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.