Soldiers, LASTMA Officers’ Clash Disturbing, Says Army

The soldiers, on a revenge mission, allegedly beat the LASTMA official before leaving the scene.


A file photo of the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja

 

The Nigerian Army has described as “disturbing”, a clash between soldiers and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) on Monday.

Spokesman for the Army, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement sent to Channels Television.

Two video clips had gone viral on Monday showing some soldiers allegedly attack a LASTMA official after the traffic officer allegedly dragged a military personnel out of the front seat of a commercial bus.

The soldiers, on a revenge mission, allegedly beat the LASTMA official before leaving the scene.

Reacting, LASTMA spokesman, Taofeek Adebayo, confirmed the development in a telephone chat with Channels Television. Adebayo said the agency would respond appropriately to the incident.

Also, Brig. Gen. Nwachukwu said, “I must say it is very disturbing that soldiers/LASMA conflict is now one too many.

“The authorities of the Nigerian Army are genuinely concerned and are embarking on vigorous sensitisation campaign to educate our personnel on the need to ensure compliance with traffic rules and promote synergy and interagency cooperation in Lagos State and around the country.”

He said the frequent altercations point to the fact that there is need to strengthen interagency cooperation amongst the security agencies in Lagos State.