Soldiers attack LASTMA officers

Soldiers attacked one of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) officers, beating him to a stupor over a yet-to-be-determined traffic offence in the early hours of Monday at the Ojota area of Lagos State.

According to an eyewitness, the incident happened at about 8 o’clock, when soldiers numbering eight, got hold of the LASTMA officer and beat him for several minutes.

The soldiers were seen, in a video that has gone viral, beating up the LASTMA officer as he pleaded to be left alone.

One of the soldier-attackers was seen battering the officer to the ground as other LASTMA officers took to their heels.

In the meantime, it was gathered that the action was in retaliation over an incident where LASTMA officers were alleged to have beaten up a soldier in the same Ojota area last week.

Today, they invading soldiers, armed with guns, descended on the officer with punches and planks before disappearing from the scene.

It was gathered that the victim, in a state of stupor, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

When contacted, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, General Manager of LASTMA, through Mr. A. Peter, the Director of Operations, confirmed the incident.

He said: “We have reported the incident to the higher authorities of the army. They are already intervening in the matter.

“We will update you in due course. The act is totally condemnable.”