•Says ‘We’ll identify, arrest all culprits
A Lance Corporal of the Nigerian Army, who was found to be one of the soldiers that assaulted traffic wardens at Adeoyo Junction, Ring Road in Ibadan, Oyo State, has been arrested by the Nigerian Army.
Disclosing this in a statement on Monday, January 10, 2022, the Director Army Public Relations,
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, described the incident as unfortunate.
A viral video of an assault on two traffic wardens by soldiers in uniform had circulated, prompting fury and consternation by many.
Information gathered by Thenewsbearer had it that the soldiers were angry with the traffic wardens for not allowing them passage as they were directing the traffic at an intersection.
A particular traffic warden was pushed down, kicked by a number of the soldiers, while another one whipped him with a rubber cane severally in the viral video.
According to Nwachukwu, “the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army ordered immediate investigation to identify and arrest the culprits. Preliminary investigation has shown that the unfortunate incident took place on Friday, 7 January, 2022 at Adeoyo Road by Ring Road, Ibadan.
“The investigation is also already yielding results as one of assailants, a Lance Corporal of the Nigerian Army has been taken into custody.
“Efforts are being made in collaboration with the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force to identify, locate and arrest the remaining culprits.
“Even as investigation is still ongoing, the Nigerian Army wishes to dissociate itself from the very reprehensible conduct of the individuals seen in that video. The vicious attack on fellow security personnel or any unarmed citizens in the manner seen in the video is not consistent with the ethos and professionalism of the Nigerian Army and therefore stands condemned in very strong terms.
“At the end of investigation, anyone found culpable in the sordid incident will be made to face the full wrath of the disciplinary provisions of the Nigerian Army.”
In an update, Thenewsbearer learnt that another soldier had been arrested, making two in custody.