By: Admin
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| Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu and Nigeria Soldiers |
BADAGRY, LAGOS – Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu, a military veteran and security expert has launched a scathing critique against the Nigerian Army following a violent reprisal attack by soldiers on the residents of Okoafo, a community along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The incident, which unfolded on Monday evening, has left the community in fear and drawn sharp condemnation for what is being described as a brutal and indiscriminate assault on innocent citizens.
The tension erupted after a man suspected to be a soldier, who was not in uniform, was reportedly beating by a mob. According to local sources, the events began earlier on Sunday when the drunk individual was seen at the Okoafo bus stop wielding a knife and slashing the tires of passing vehicles. This destructive act prompted a reaction from residents, leading to a confrontation in which the suspected soldier was hospitalised, after the police rescued him. In response, soldiers were deployed to the community, where they allegedly embarked on a rampage, beating residents and making arbitrary arrests.
Akogun-Abudu, condemned the army's actions, highlighting a disturbing pattern of regional bias in its responses. “The pattern is becoming too familiar: when a soldier happens to be mobbed, killed or wounded by civilians in the North, the Army often looks the other way. Only when it concerns a senior officer at times in the north, we might see swift arrests and decisive action,” Akogun-Abudu stated.
He contrasted this with the response in southern regions, asserting, “But when it happens in the South-East, South-South, and South-West, the innocent are not protected but to assert power. Yet this same urgency and intimidation disappears when incidents happen in the North.”
Akogun-Abudu did not mince words in his assessment of the root cause, pointing to a decay in military discipline. “As a military veteran, I saw this coming. Years of unchecked fraternisation and compromise have eroded the dignity, discipline, and purpose of the military all traded away for peanuts,” he declared.
He directly called out the hypocrisy of the soldiers' actions, noting, “The same communities that some of you regularly visit for ‘returns’ are now the ones being intimidated and brutalised.”
“Enough is enough. Stop victimising innocent citizens. Conduct proper investigations, identify the real culprits, and do your jobs professionally,” Akogun-Abudu demanded.
He reminded the army of its duty to the populace, stating, “These people you harass are the same people whose taxes fund your salaries, allowances, and operations. Respect the citizens. Uphold the law. Restore the honour of the uniform.”
As of press time, the Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident in Okoafo, Badagry.