The Nigerian Army has announced its intention to launch a campaign promoting traffic compliance among its officers. This comes in response to an incident where a group of unidentified soldiers, numbering at least five, assaulted an official from the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) on Monday.
In a 31-second viral video, the soldiers, their identities concealed by scarves, were seen alongside two civilians – one of whom also wore a mask – attacking a LASTMA official. Despite the official’s pleas for leniency, one of the soldiers was observed kicking him forcefully with his boot. The attack continued as the official, his LASTMA uniform torn, writhed on the ground, subjected to repeated kicks. The soldiers and civilians fled the scene after the assault.
Another 16-second video that surfaced on Monday depicted a separate incident involving a LASTMA official dragging a soldier out of the front seat of a commercial bus and assaulting him with a stick. As of press time, the cause of these altercations remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether the two incidents are connected.
In response to these events, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, conveyed that efforts are being made to educate army personnel about the importance of adhering to traffic regulations. He expressed concern over the recurrent conflicts between soldiers and LASTMA officials, stating that a vigorous sensitisation campaign would be launched to ensure compliance with traffic rules. He also emphasised the need for interagency cooperation to enhance security in Lagos State and across the nation.
To address the situation, military police have been tasked with conducting “Operation Checkmate,” involving intermittent surveillance to identify and apprehend personnel found violating traffic rules or engaging in inappropriate conduct. Brigadier General Nwachukwu stressed the necessity of preventing personnel from taking matters into their own hands and resorting to physical aggression, as such actions often escalate confrontations.
Olabisi Ayeni, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, confirmed that an investigation into the recent clash between LASTMA personnel and a soldier in uniform was underway. Meanwhile, Taofeek Adebayo, spokesperson for LASTMA, acknowledged the video showing Monday’s incident. He assured that a response would be provided in due course, asking for patience due to the sensitive nature of the matter.