Soldier driving against traffic ‘stabs police inspector to death’ in Lagos

Saka Ganiyu, a police inspector attached to the Lagos police command, has been allegedly stabbed to death by a soldier.

Ganiyu, an officer of the Lagos state taskforce, was stabbed on Wednesday while on enforcement duty in the Ojo area.

NAN reports that the incident happened after police officers stopped a commercial bus driving against traffic at the Volks bus stop on the Lagos-Badagry road in the Ojo area.

TheCable understands that the police officers did not know that the commercial bus was being driven by a soldier who was not in uniform.

The soldier was displeased that the police officers stopped his bus — an incident that led to an altercation.

Amid the altercation, the soldier reportedly contacted his colleagues from the Ojo cantonment, a military barracks not far from the scene.

When the soldiers arrived at the scene, they attacked the police team on the traffic duty, and Ganiyu sustained injuries during the attack.

The police inspector died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital while receiving treatment.

ARMY REACTS

In a statement on Thursday, Olabisi Ayeni, the spokesperson of the 81 Division Nigerian Army, said the soldier involved in the incident has been arrested and handed over to military police.

Ayeni described the incident as “unfortunate” while commiserating with the family of the deceased officer.

“The soldier suspected to have committed the offence has since been apprehended and handed over to the Military Police for investigation and further disciplinary procedures,” the statement reads.

“The incident is highly regrettable, given the Division’s commitment to the Nigerian army code of conduct and rules of engagement.

“The Nigerian army continuously sensitised its personnel not to engage in activities that would tarnish its image and bridge the trust with other security agencies and the civil populace.”