Soldiers Burn 4 BRT Buses, Vandalise 8 Others in Lagos
by SEGUN ADIO AND FRANCIS SUBERU
Jul 5, 2014
Nigerian National Mirror
No, Area Boys carried out the act –Army
Some irate soldiers yesterday went on rampage in the ever busy Ikorodu Road, Lagos, setting ablaze no fewer than four Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses and vandalising about eight others in protest over the killing of one of their colleagues.
Eye witnesses said that, the dead soldier, a corporal the Education Corps of the Nigerian Army, was knocked down by a the onrushing BRT bus.
Saturday Mirror learnt that the tragic incident which occurred around 9.00am at Palmgrove inward Anthony was ignited when a BRT bus crushed the soldier who was riding a motorcycle on the dual carriage way with his colleague on the back seat.
Eyewitnesses say that other soldiers going to work allegedly ordered passengers on other BRT buses plying the route to disembark at Awoyokun area of the road on hearing the unfortunate incident.
In a revenge mission on the death of the soldier, it was reported that the second soldier, who narrowly escaped death, mobilised other soldiers from a nearby Abalti barracks to the scene, who on arrival swooped on passers-by and commuters, unleashing mayhem in the area.
It was said that the soldiers in their large numbers swung into action as they began to vandalise BRT buses in quick succession with many taking to their heels to avert being caught in the mayhem.
The rampaging soldiers blocked the expressway on both sides causing traffic gridlock, even as some people abandoned their vehicles and took to their heels. Policemen in apparent frenzy of the soldiers ready to kill anyone who dared to confront them went into hiding.
In the ensuing milieu officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management, LASTMA, quickly removed their uniforms to disguise themselves so as not to be attacked by soldiers.
A journalist at the scene who took some pictures said that she was ordered by the soldiers to delete the shots on her cell phone ,adding that they also assaulted two other civilians.
She said that the soldiers also smashed the cell phone of another person found to be recording the incident at the scene.
However, in a release issued by Lt. Col. Omale Ochagwuba, spokesman for 81 Division, Nigerian Army, he debunked the claim saying the crisis was not caused by his men but by Area Boys.
The statement said that the driver of the bus took the body of the soldier into the bus and attempted to drive away. “Area Boys then took advantage of the incident and started attacking BRT Buses.
From observation you will discover that, the BRT buses burnt are far away from the scene of the incident.”
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| BRT buses burned by Nigerian soldiers in Lagos. |
Jul 5, 2014
Nigerian National Mirror
No, Area Boys carried out the act –Army
Some irate soldiers yesterday went on rampage in the ever busy Ikorodu Road, Lagos, setting ablaze no fewer than four Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses and vandalising about eight others in protest over the killing of one of their colleagues.
Eye witnesses said that, the dead soldier, a corporal the Education Corps of the Nigerian Army, was knocked down by a the onrushing BRT bus.
Saturday Mirror learnt that the tragic incident which occurred around 9.00am at Palmgrove inward Anthony was ignited when a BRT bus crushed the soldier who was riding a motorcycle on the dual carriage way with his colleague on the back seat.
Eyewitnesses say that other soldiers going to work allegedly ordered passengers on other BRT buses plying the route to disembark at Awoyokun area of the road on hearing the unfortunate incident.
In a revenge mission on the death of the soldier, it was reported that the second soldier, who narrowly escaped death, mobilised other soldiers from a nearby Abalti barracks to the scene, who on arrival swooped on passers-by and commuters, unleashing mayhem in the area.
It was said that the soldiers in their large numbers swung into action as they began to vandalise BRT buses in quick succession with many taking to their heels to avert being caught in the mayhem.
The rampaging soldiers blocked the expressway on both sides causing traffic gridlock, even as some people abandoned their vehicles and took to their heels. Policemen in apparent frenzy of the soldiers ready to kill anyone who dared to confront them went into hiding.
In the ensuing milieu officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management, LASTMA, quickly removed their uniforms to disguise themselves so as not to be attacked by soldiers.
A journalist at the scene who took some pictures said that she was ordered by the soldiers to delete the shots on her cell phone ,adding that they also assaulted two other civilians.
She said that the soldiers also smashed the cell phone of another person found to be recording the incident at the scene.
However, in a release issued by Lt. Col. Omale Ochagwuba, spokesman for 81 Division, Nigerian Army, he debunked the claim saying the crisis was not caused by his men but by Area Boys.
The statement said that the driver of the bus took the body of the soldier into the bus and attempted to drive away. “Area Boys then took advantage of the incident and started attacking BRT Buses.
From observation you will discover that, the BRT buses burnt are far away from the scene of the incident.”
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