By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS STATE — Taiwo Hannah Zannu, a local food vendor at Oloroko along the Badagry-Seme Expressway, has been brutally assaulted by Cop. Joseph a soldier from 15 Field Engineer Regiment (Topo Barracks) attached to the Nigeria Customs, Seme border checkpoint at Oloko.
The incident, which occurred around 6:30 AM on Saturday, August 15, 2026, stems from a petty dispute over a food order at the Oloko Customs checkpoint.
According to Mrs. Zannu, the conflict began on the preceding Tuesday when one of the soldiers visited her shop to purchase beans. Upon discovering the food was not yet ready, the soldier confronted the vendor, questioning why she failed to open her shop as early as 3:00 AM a demand she noted was entirely unreasonable.
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When the soldier subsequently requested two eggs, an argument ensued after he began hurling insults at a member of her staff. Although bystanders intervened and managed to defuse the situation at the time, the soldier allegedly vowed to retaliate against Mrs. Zannu at the next opportunity.
The threats materialized on Saturday morning. Speaking with News Peddlers, Mrs. Zannu recounted how the ordeal unfolded
"This morning at about 6:00 AM, upon getting to my shop, I saw people gathered and talking. I asked what happened, and they said the soldier hit my staff on the head, threatening to deal with me. I then told my staff to follow me to the checkpoint to discuss with the Customs officers stationed there.
"On getting to the checkpoint, before I could say a word, the soldier sighted me, brought out a belt, and started beating me. His colleague joined in, while the Customs officers simply stood by and watched. In the process they took my phone, necklaces and all the money in my bag. It was the commuters in the area who rushed out to rescue me."
Following the attack, the victim visited Topo Barracks to formally report the incident. However, she stated that authorities merely took her statement and instructed her to leave.
Mrs. Zannu disclosed that she has incurred medical bills exceeding N200,000 for her treatment and is urgently appealing to Nigerians for justice.
The Oloko Customs checkpoint previously designated as an illegal checkpoint by a former Customs Comptroller has a notorious reputation for human rights abuses against Badagry residents.
A notable prior incident occurred on December 1, 2024, when two transporters were assaulted at the exact same location merely for attempting to record a video to update their customers on their travel location.
As of the time of filing this report, all attempts to reach the 15 Field Engineer Regiment for official comments and reactions have been unsuccessful.