In Lagos State, a group of soldiers from the Ojo Cantonment Barracks, led by an unidentified colleague, killed a police officer, Inspector Saka Ganiyu, after he attempted to stop a soldier who was driving against traffic. The incident occurred near Volks Bus Stop, along the Ojo Iyana Iba Road.
The soldier in question, who was not wearing a uniform, was driving a T4 Volkswagen commercial bus that had no registration number. While driving on the wrong side of the road, he was stopped by policemen on duty at Volks Bus Stop. This led to an argument between the soldier and the officers. Enraged by the police intervention, the soldier reportedly called for backup, prompting his colleagues from the nearby Ojo Cantonment Barracks to come to his aid.
What followed was a brutal attack on the police officers, during which Inspector Saka Ganiyu sustained severe injuries. He was immediately rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for emergency treatment. Sadly, despite the efforts of the medical team, Ganiyu succumbed to his injuries and passed away. His body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and an autopsy.
The military authorities, specifically the Commander of the 9 Brigade at Ikeja Cantonment, were promptly notified of the incident. The soldier responsible for the altercation was taken into custody by military personnel for further questioning. However, at the time of the report, the identity of the soldier had not been officially released, and a comprehensive investigation by homicide detectives is underway to ensure that justice is served for the fallen police officer.
Efforts to reach Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls or text messages. Similarly, when the spokesperson for the 81 Division Nigerian Army, Olabisi Ayeni, was contacted, he stated that he needed to gather more information before commenting on the matter. As of the time of filing the report, Ayeni had not provided any updates.
This incident is not an isolated case of soldiers allegedly attacking and killing police officers in Lagos. In August 2022, a similar tragic event occurred when Inspector Orukpe Monday, serving with the Lagos State Police Command, died after being tortured by soldiers. The attack took place in the Trade Fair area when the soldiers, on their way to a training session at Ojo Military Cantonment, became frustrated by a traffic holdup caused by police officers stopping vehicles. A confrontation ensued, which led to the soldiers attacking the officers and inflicting fatal injuries on Inspector Monday. His death shocked the police community and brought attention to the growing tension between military and police forces in the state.
As this recent incident unfolds, the public awaits further details on the investigation and possible charges against the responsible soldier.
