An unidentified soldier has reportedly stabbed police Inspector Saka Ganiyu to death at the Ojo axis of Lagos State,taskforce
Inspector Saka Ganiyu with AP/No 223409 who was fatally stabbed by a soldier during an enforcement operation at Volks Bus Stop, along the Ojo-Iyana Iba Road, in the early hours.
According to a statement by Gbadeyan Abdulraheem Director, Press & Public Affairs Lagos State Taskforce,”the incident which occurred at about 7am took the sad turn when the Lagos State Taskforce’s Anti-One-Way team, led by Superintendent of Police James Nnadi, apprehended a white T4 bus for driving against traffic. The bus, loaded with passengers, was flagged down by the Taskforce officers. upon trying to effect the confiscation of the vehicle, the driver who was identified as a military personnel was not in uniform”
The statement reads further : “As the arrest proceeded, the driver created a scene and wielding dangerous weapons. During the assault, Inspector Saka Ganiyu was viciously stabbed in the right thigh by the driver of the bus.
“Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Inspector Ganiyu was tragically pronounced dead”
“The Lagos State Taskforce condemns this brutal and unwarranted attack on law enforcement officers who were dutifully carrying out their legal responsibilities to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and maintain public order in the State.”
“The incident has been escalated to the State Police Command for immediate investigation, and justice will be pursued for the loss of our dedicated officer.
Meanwhile, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, which confirmed the death in a statement, said it had begun investigation into the incident.
The Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in the division, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said in the statement on Thursday that the army regretted to inform the public of an unfortunate incident.
He said that the incident occurred on Oct. 9, 2024, and involved a soldier and a policeman following an altercation related to alleged traffic rule violation.
“The incident, which is under investigation, escalated and resulted in the death of the policeman.
“The soldier suspected to have committed the offence has since been apprehended and handed over to the military police for investigation and further disciplinary procedures.
“The incident is highly regrettable given the division’s commitment to the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement.
“The Nigerian Army has continuously sensitised its personnel not to engage in activities that would tarnish its image and bridge the trust with other security agencies as well as the civil populace,” he said.
Ayeni said that the army would continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure security of lives and property in line with its constitutional mandate.
