Soldiers invade Lagos community, kill three in reprisal attack

Some soldiers on Monday invaded Isheri/Kara, a boundary community between Lagos and Ogun States, killing three people.

The attack, which happened during the community’s Isheri Day festival, stemmed from an attack on one of the attendees, named Tiri and his military escort.

The soldier was reported to have mobilised his colleagues from 81 Division, who stormed the area and opened fire on his suspected assailants.

“The soldier the man brought was beaten, his clothes torn and his rifle seized. He was even pushed into a canal,” according to an eyewitness.

“The soldiers who were later brought in shot three boys, who were confirmed dead in a hospital,” a community source told our correspondent.

However, the military blamed the incident on hoodlums at the event

A statement signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Major Clement Abiade, said the report was aimed at distracting military operations at checkmating insecurity.

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He said, “For avoidance of the doubt and the need for clarity, the true situation is that the troops of 81 Division, Nigerian Army, deployed in internal security in Kara general area of Lagos, following a distress call made a prompt intervention to forestall grievous bloody clash among the so-called “Isheri boys” yesterday evening.

“The clash, reported to have started between the group members culminated into lawlessness and anarchy, harassing innocent citizens in the area who were supposedly expected to be enjoying their eid maulid festival. The troops dispersed this group who have constituted themselves into a public nuisance and accordingly restored peace to the area.

“Sadly, one of our gallant soldiers got a machete cut in the head and was immediately evacuated to Gentalbert Hospital for first aid treatment and subsequent transfer to Military Hospital. He is responding to treatment.

“Also reported was a stabbed civilian brought to the same hospital by another civilian while efforts were ongoing to get doctors to attend to the injured soldier.”