Soldiers of the Nigerian Army led by one Major Adebiyi and one Captain Gowon, on Tuesday, attacked and brutalised officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), the state government has said.
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed shocking details in a post on X on Tuesday. Attached to the post were disturbing visuals – a video and photo showing one of the KAI officers brutally assaulted, left with a broken head.
The commissioner alleged that the soldiers launched an unprovoked attack on the KAI officers while carrying out their lawful duties in the Yaba area of the state.
He said it took the swift intervention of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T. Lagbaja, and the Director of Chaplain Services, Lt. Col. T.E. Ogbonyomi, to restore peace and order and restrain the soldiers from wreaking more havoc.
Wahab said, “Earlier today, officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), lawfully engaged in their duties in Yaba, were subjected to an unprovoked attack by personnel of the Nigerian Army under the directive of Major Adebiyi and Captain Gowon.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T. Lagbaja, and the Director of Chaplain Services, Lt. Col. T.E. Ogbonyomi, for their swift and decisive intervention in support of civil authorities.
“Their leadership has ensured that KAI officers continue to carry out their responsibilities without further disruption, reinforcing the principle that military personnel are subject to the authority of civil governance within their jurisdictions.
“We strongly condemn this unwarranted and unacceptable assault on officers executing their lawful duties. Moving forward, such acts will not be tolerated.
“We remain committed to ensuring a #CleanerLagos by upholding safety and sanitation standards across the state,” he added.
However, the commissioner did not provide a detailed explanation about what led to the attack on KAI officers or provided updates on the injured officers’ conditions.