Fatal Confrontation Between Soldiers and Residents Results in Man's Death in Lagos
An unidentified individual was reportedly shot and killed by soldiers in the Otto vicinity of Lagos mainland, following a confrontation with unidentified soldiers.
The soldiers had been assigned to provide security for a group of Chinese workers engaged in maintenance construction along the railway tracks. However, a number of young men in the area had been in conflict with the construction crew.
According to a local source, these youths, known locally as 'Omo onile,' had persistently clashed with the construction workers. The source mentioned, "The Chinese workers ceased involving the police as they perceived the police were incapable of managing the situation with the youths. As a result, they sought the assistance of soldiers."
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, refrained from making a statement regarding the incident. He explained that the jurisdiction for the matter fell under the purview of the Railway Command.
"It falls beyond our jurisdiction and falls under the jurisdiction of the Railway Command," Hundeyin clarified.
However, attempts to obtain information from the Railway Command were unsuccessful.
However, a source within the police command, who confirmed the event, expressed deep concern regarding the purportedly ongoing transgressions attributed to soldiers in Lagos.
The police insider conveyed, "The occurrence took place at around 1 pm in the Ebutte Meta/Otto locality. This situation is becoming increasingly unacceptable. We cannot permit this to persist, especially since I also have my own family residing in Lagos."
The source further questioned the notion of people losing their lives at the hands of soldiers without restraint, asserting the urgent need to halt such incidents. They highlighted a recurring issue: when these soldiers engage in such operations, they forego wearing identification tags, making it virtually impossible to ascertain their identities or trace their actions.
In a video of the episode obtained by our correspondent, two of the three individuals dressed in military attire were captured discharging firearms within the vicinity, causing distress among the local residents. Amid the chaotic scene, a voice in the background could be heard exclaiming, "Take a look. Officer, you have taken a life. You have taken a life. Look at this person. They are killing people."
In an additional video clip acquired, a lifeless individual could be observed resting in a pool of what was purportedly the deceased man's blood, presumably resulting from the shooting by the soldiers. Nearby individuals were gathered, their anguished cries filling the air.
Efforts to elicit a response from the spokesperson of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt Col Ayeni, have remained unanswered despite multiple calls and messages forwarded to his contact.
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