National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Olatunde Oluwasola
In a disturbing incident that unfolded on Monday morning in Lagos State, soldiers turned to violence, targeting a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer.
The incident occurred in the Ojota area and is believed to be in response to an alleged, yet-to-be-determined traffic offense.
At around 8 a.m., a group of eight irate soldiers confronted a LASTMA officer, subjecting him to a relentless and brutal assault.
A witness on the scene reported that the attack was swift and intense, with the soldiers not hesitating to use physical force.
A video of the incident, now widely circulated, captures the distressing scene. The LASTMA officer is seen pleading for mercy while soldiers continue to batter him.
In a distressing turn of events, one of the assailants forcefully strikes the officer, causing him to collapse on the ground. Other LASTMA officers in the vicinity are seen fleeing from the chaotic scene.
The motive behind this attack appears to be linked to an incident from the previous week.
Sources suggest that the soldiers were retaliating against the alleged beating of a soldier by LASTMA officers in the same Ojota area. The soldiers, armed with firearms, targeted the LASTMA officer with a combination of blows and wooden planks before disappearing from the scene.
Following the assault, the victim was left in a state of disarray and was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Confirming the incident, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, the General Manager of LASTMA, expressed strong condemnation for the act. Mr. A. Peter, the Director of Operations, communicated that the incident has been reported to higher authorities within the army who are currently intervening in the matter. Further updates on the situation will be provided in due course.
