The Nigerian Army has denied soldiers burnt a police station in the Ogijo community on Wednesday to avenge the death of their colleague.
Some residents of the area had told PUNCH Metro that soldiers invaded the station to retaliate against the death of their colleague who was allegedly killed by a police officer who burnt properties including vehicles, and a police station, among others.
But in a statement on Thursday, the statement signed by Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, said an angry mob was carried against personnel of the service.
The mob according to him, witnessed the incident that led to the death of the soldier and took advantage of it t attack the station.
The statement was titled, ‘Murder of a soldier: Angry crowd attacks police station’.
“Angry mob at Ogijo Community, a border town between Ogun and Lagos states attacked a Police Station following the death of a soldier who was stabbed to death by a policeman.
The mob who witnessed the unfortunate incident took advantage of this and attacked Police Station in the community.
Explaining what transpired, he said the slain soldier was trying to confirm the identity of an improperly dressed police officer who was standing by their vehicle.
Ayeni added that the incident degenerated into a fight and subsequently the death of a soldier.
He said the police officer had been arrested and kept in military custody for safety, adding that he would be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution.
Ayeni said, “The victim confronted the suspect who was not properly dressed and standing very close to the Patrol Vehicle of Operation MESA to confirm his identity.
“This led to an argument and subsequently, the unfortunate incident.
“The soldier was immediately rushed to Lagos State Polytechnic Hospital, Odogunyan, for medical attention, but he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
“The remains of the soldier have been moved to 174 Battalion Medical Centre in Ikorodu.
“The suspect has also since been arrested and kept in military custody for his safety and subsequent hand over to Nigeria Police for prosecution.”
He added troops had been deployed around the vicinity of all the police stations in Ikorodu to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
Ayeni, however, said the situation had been brought under control and normalcy had returned to the community.
