Nigerian Army Insists Hoodlums Burnt Lagos BRT Buses & Not Soldiers

The Nigerian Army on Thursday in Lagos said it would continue to ensure a cordial relationship with civilians in the state.

Lt. Col. Omale Ochaguba, the spokesman, 81 Div. Nigerian Army, told News Agency of Nigeria against the backdrop of the recent attack on Lagos State Government-owned luxury buses by soldiers.

Crisis erupted after the death of a Corporal from Army Education Corps, Lagos, who was knocked down when he was allegedly riding on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane on his power bike on July 4. Apart from eyewitness accounts that the soldiers burnt the mass transit buses, pictures and videos reveal the soldiers were on rampage as they shutdown the expressway for hours.

Ochaguba, 81 Division spokesman said that the army would not compromise civil-military relationship in the state.

“Military has no bad relationship with civilians, we are committed to protecting the lives and properties of civilians, we are not anti civilians,” he said.
According to him, the soldiers are meant to protect the safety of the civilians and also assist other security agents in maintaining peace in the state.
He noted that the recent alleged destruction of BRT and LAG luxury buses were not carried out by their men but by hoodlums.

“We ensure obedience to the rules and laws in the state especially in adhering to the BRT lane instruction as the soldier killed was not on the said lane,” he said.

He also said that the bus that hit the soldier from the back had been towed to Ikeja Cantonment while further investigations were ongoing.
Ochaguba added that the body of the late corporal had been deposited at 68 Army Reference hospital, Yaba.