Soldiers beat LASTMA, police officers after driving against traffic

Some soldiers of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday beat up a policeman and an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority along Eko Bridge in Lagos.

According to information gathered, the soldiers were driving against traffic (one-way) when the policeman and the LASTMA official stopped their vehicle and ordered them to turn back and take the right lane.

It was learnt that the situation became tensed after confrontations as both parties could not come to an agreement.

The soldiers, who refused to turn back, reportedly pounced on the two officials and beat them up.

Our correspondent learnt that another set of soldiers in a different vehicle, who were driving on the right lane, stopped when they noticed the scene and joined their soldier colleagues in beating the officials.

Although calm has been restored to the area and both parties were said to have apologised to each other, it was learnt that the wounded officials were taken to hospital for treatment.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, adding that everything had been resolved.

He said, “Yes the incident happened this morning (Wednesday) along Eko bridge.

“Everything is fine now and our man is undergoing treatment at a hospital. Both parties have apologised to each other and there is no cause for alarm. The situation is under control.

“The Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force in Lagos State will continue to co-exist in harmony,” he added.

PUNCH