Two Soldiers Arrested for Brutalising Lagos Residents

Chiemelie Ezeobi
Detectives from the Yaba Division of the Lagos Police Command have arrested two soldiers – Privates Ihama Osaretin and Okpor Ray – for allegedly attacking and brutalising some residents of Makoko area in Lagos State.

Although they were not the only ones that stormed the waterside community to attack its residents, they were the only two arrested after they had raid on Sunday night, injuring many persons.
THISDAY gathered that the rampaging soldiers, numbering about 14, had gone to the community in a rage, beating up anyone they set their eyes on.

Although the bartered residents initially fled their community, they were said to have regrouped and confronted the soldiers armed with dangerous weapons such as axes, broken bottles, iron rods, wood and cudgels.

When they attempted to overpower the soldiers, 12 of them succeeded in fleeing to safety, leaving two others behind at the mercy of the angry residents who unleashed terror on them.
It was gathered that attempt to beat the duo was aborted by two police attack patrol teams attached to Makoko Police Division that were quickly mobilised to the scene by the Divisional Police Officer.

The quick intervention of the police saved the two privates, who were later rushed to the hospital for treatment of the injuries they had sustained.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officers Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, said one Segun Enikumehin of Aiyetoro Street, Makoko was beaten to a pulp by the soldiers to the extent that he lost one of his eyes.
She said an angry mob descended on the soldiers but they were lucky to have been rescued by the police.

She said: “On Sunday, Yaba Police Division received information that some soldiers allegedly stormed Makoko area to attack the residents in yet-to-be determined circumstances.
“One Segun Enikumehin was beaten to a pulp and one of his eyes was injured during the attack. Our men were mobilised to the scene and they arrested one of the soldiers, Osaretin, while another soldier, Chinedu, who was beaten and stabbed by the angry mob in the reprisal, was rescued.

“The victims were taken to mainland general hospital for medical treatment. While efforts are in progress to contact the soldiers’ service base.”

She said normalcy had returned to the place, while the police were investigating the cause of the fracas.

Related Articles