Report says a Nigerian soldier has allegedly killed a police officer, Saka Ganiyu, in Lagos State after being stopped for driving against traffic. The soldier, reportedly attached to the Ojo Cantonment Barracks, was leading a group of colleagues in an unregistered Volkswagen T4 bus when they were flagged down by Ganiyu at the Volkswagen Bus Stop on Ojo Iyana Iba Road on Wednesday.
Sources revealed that the soldier, who was off duty and not in uniform, became confrontational after being pulled over. He allegedly contacted his fellow soldiers at the barracks, who rushed to the scene and attacked the police officer.
Ganiyu, who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he later died while receiving treatment. His body has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary for an autopsy.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 81 Division, Olabisi Ayeni, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the soldier involved had been arrested and handed over to the military police. Ayeni assured the public that a thorough investigation was ongoing and that disciplinary measures would be taken.
The statement read, "Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army regrets the unfortunate incident that occurred on 9 October 2024, involving a soldier and a policeman following an altercation over an alleged traffic violation. The soldier has been apprehended and handed over to the military police for further investigation and disciplinary procedures."
The army also expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased officer and to the Nigeria Police Force, pledging to ensure that justice is served. The General Officer Commanding the 81 Division reaffirmed the army’s commitment to upholding its Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement and assured that its personnel are regularly sensitized to conduct themselves in ways that reflect positively on the military and promote cooperation with other security agencies.
In a separate but tragic incident, a senior secondary school student, Habib Salau, was fatally stabbed by another student, identified as Sandra, following an altercation at Akoko Anglican Grammar School in Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State. The incident, which occurred shortly after school hours on Wednesday, reportedly took place outside the school premises.
According to sources, Sandra confessed to using a knife obtained from a student at Ajiroke Technical School to stab Salau during the fight. The body of the deceased student has been deposited at the mortuary of the State Specialist Hospital in Ikare-Akoko.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, confirmed the incident and stated that the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
