Some unidentified officers of the Nigerian Army have attacked officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA on Monday.
Gatekeepers News gathered that the attack was a reprisal of the earlier clash between a LASTMA official and a soldier.
In video which went viral on Friday, a LASTMA official was seen dragging a soldier (on uniform) out of the front seat of a commercial bus and beating him with his stick at Oshodi axis of the State.
See the video below:
In retaliation, some soldiers on uniform and at least two other civilians attacked LASTMA officials on Monday.
See the video of the reprisal at Ojota axis of the State below:
Our correspondent gathered that no fewer than 15 LASTMA officials were injured across the State on Monday, while others flee from their duties in fear on Monday.
In reaction to this, the Nigerian Army said it would begin a campaign for traffic compliance amongst its officers.
The Army spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Army was working to educate its officials on the need to obey traffic laws.
Nwachukwu 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.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Olabisi Ayeni, told PUNCH Metro in a WhatsApp chat that the Army was investigating Friday’s incident.
Ayeni said on Monday, “I am aware that LASTMA personnel attacked a soldier in uniform on Friday. An investigation into the issue is ongoing.”
On his part, the spokesperson for LASTMA, Taofeek Adebayo, who confirmed Monday’s video, said LASTMA would respond in due time.
Adebayo simply said, “Be patient with me; it is a sensitive matter. I have to get clearance.”
