Soldiers went wild yesterday and attacked officers of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit at Yaba area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

This might not be unconnected with the ‘humiliation’ of an Army Colonel by Governor Babatunde Fashola on Tuesday for driving on BRT lane.

The soldiers attacked the taskforce officials with bottles and stones and used knife to puncture two tyres of the Black Maria used in conveying offenders.

Trouble started on Murtala Muhammed Way, Yaba close to an Army barracks when the taskforce officials, who were on patrol to ensure smooth flow of traffic, spotted a commuter bus parked in the middle of the road and obstructing traffic.

The tasforce officials were said to have accosted the driver but a soldier who was sitting in the bus collected the key from the driver to prevent the taskforce officials from taking the bus away.

The soldier was said to have called for reinforcement from the 81 Division barracks and within minutes, several soldiers trooped out from the barracks and began to haul stones and other dangerous missiles at the taskforce officials.

Some of the soldiers were said to be making unsavoury remarks about the governor for daring to arrest and humiliate an Army Colonel on Tuesday and decided to vent their anger on the taskforce officials.

As the situation worsened, the taskforce also called for a reinforcement.

It was in the heat of the clash that the tyres of the Black Maria were torn with knife and deflated.

An eye witness said a top military officer, a Lieutenant, allegedly ordered his boys to abduct some of the taskforce officials and take them to the barracks.

Calm was restored when a senior taskforce official intervened and asked his boys to beat a retreat.

Taskforce Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman confirmed the attack on his men and described it as an affront on the state government for soldiers to vandalise government vehicle.

He said it was wrong for soldiers to attack taskforce officials on legitimate duty with stones and other dangerous weapons.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/07/19/soldiers-go-wild-in-lagos-after-fasholas-humiliation-of-colonel/

In a normal society, soldiers do not stay inside town!

This is getting interesting.

So, what are the soldiers going wild for? Are they protesting that was their colleague did was the right thing to do?

SMH

Why is lagos still part of the sorry mess called Nigeria?

Fashola should thread very carefully. Smart leaders keep the Army on their side at all times, at all costs.

Musiwa please tell us about the satellite pics....thanx

deshclones: Musiwa please tell us about the satellite pics....thanx

Ndu_Chucks bin don talk am say Solja bois fit hala any time soon

Is this true?

ndu_chucks: Fashola should thread very carefully. Smart leaders keep the Army on their side at all times, at all costs.

Which means it's ok for soldiers to run amok when cautioned for breaking the law Make dem kuku overthrow the government now! Mtchew!!!

Power enamates 4rm the barrel of a gun.

Why are our journalists like this?
Since when did a lieutenant become a "top military official".

Rids the reporter and story of any credibility even if likely true.

deshclones: Musiwa please tell us about the satellite pics....thanx

Take very close look at the satellite picture, you will see that Military men is very angry and untile they remove western Niaja army from nigeria, western naija will not rest. I will keep on saying it. . . . Even the U.S talked about this last time but Fashola refuse to listen. Now see the result of the satellite picture

Foolish country Foolish people.

It could have been very bloody today if the Lastma guys had not retreated.

We await an official reaction 4m d LSG,nobody is above d law! These soldiers dt went wild should know we'r now in a democratic society governed by law & not decrees! Even d gov said he is under d law & hence stay in a traffic so what is des soldires wahala?

I hate nigerian soldiers with passion! The believe they are above all laws and norms

Dat one na smal tn wait mo r comin, does lastmen wo fill de can tk laws into dea hands will die dea time go reach de will run aways especialy wen de site n army or nie a barack.do u no hw many lives av lost bc of dea stupid behaviour,trust lagis buys de will show dem de r lucky lastmen is nt in warri.n fashola shd b lucky dat is not d sturbon army e meet.

It's all going to hell in a handbasket!!

ndu_chucks: Fashola should thread very carefully. Smart leaders keep the Army on their side at all times, at all costs.

True!

Wild wild Lagos

lacasa: Foolish country Foolish people.

Exactly what I thought after reading the post, but more like,
Crazy Lagos, Crazy traffic.

Eko Ile: Why is lagos still part of the sorry mess called Nigeria?

o tell that to those who have never been to lagos. Lagos is one giant disorganised mess. There, people don't actually "live" they just "exist" . congestion, traffic, smelly environment, extortive rents etc, are all features of lagos. One giant sh1t hole, lag. So quit forming as if we are talking of Paris or Cape town here.

In a normal society, the soldiers themselves also know they are not above the law.
Their superiors would punish them more than they would a civilian if they broke the law.

But instead, we see here that their superiors support their rowdiness.

peckhamboi: It could have been very bloody today if the Lastma guys had not retreated.

So those two mumu soldiers in the picture stood by and allowed their faces to be captured on photo...dem oga go use dem do scapegoat

cogitoErgo: In a normal society, soldiers do not stay inside town!

true talk.....well said

Double

They need to set up a committee to look into this....Im very sure they will come out with a good idea on how to avert a repeat....lol naija....the wahala is endless...

This soldiers should be dealt with accordingly,i don't know they always feel as if nobody can mess with them,it's time they know NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW.

Those soldiers causing chaos in the city should be brought to law. Nobody is above the law in a democratic society. Those soldiers just displayed their stupidity. They should be relief of their jobs!