A Police Inspector Orukpe Monday, has succumbed to injuries he received after been beaten by soldiers who attacked him and his colleagues near Trade Fair, Lagos State.
Another colleague Inspector, Igbafe Ojo is also battling for his life at the Ojo Military Cantonment Hospital.
The soldiers about 30 in number were on bus traveling to a destination when they ran into traffic along the Badagry/Mile 2 Expressway near the Trade Fair complex. They discovered that the traffic was held up by policemen trying to direct a truck into the expressway. Hell was let loose, after one the soldiers struck a policeman, in the ensuring melee, the policemen were overwhelmed by the soldiers, two others who were unable to escape were held hostage at the Ojo barracks and in the process they got tortured .
A police team went to the barracks to demand for their men and met one of them unconscious, while the other was covered in bandages. The soldiers refused to release the policemen and their guns on the ground that the injured men were not fit to leave.
Lagos State Police PRO Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the incident: “There was an issue between soldiers and police on Wednesday, and the command is working closely with the army high command to resolve the issues. But one of the policemen involved in the incident is dead.”
Also Major Olaniyi Osoba speaking for the 81 Division Nigeria Army, said: “The army was already in touch with the state police command to resolve the matter.
“This incident is highly regrettable given the Division’s disposition and zero tolerance for any misconduct.
“Accordingly, the Division has instituted a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstance surrounding the unfortunate incident. At the end of the investigation, anyone found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the disciplinary provisions.
“Consequently, the Division wishes to commiserate with the Ojo Police Division and members of the family of the victim,” he said.