The soldier identified simply as Saheed was said to have been on mufti when the incident occurred.
The Nigerian Army has broken its silence following the alleged killing of a soldier by a policeman in Lagos State.
The incident happened in the Odogunyan area of Ikorodu on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
The soldier identified simply as Saheed was said to have been on mufti when the incident occurred.
"The soldier was killed at Odogunyan by policemen, he was in mufti. Immediately they realised he was an officer, they ran away to Ogijo police station," a source told newsmen.
It was further gathered that an angry mob at Ogijo Community, a border town between Ogun and Lagos state, attacked the police station following the death of a soldier.
According to reports, the slain soldier got married in November 2022.
A statement on Thursday, February 16, signed by the 81 Division Nigerian Army Deputy Directors of Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said the victim (soldier) allegedly confronted the suspect (policeman) who was not properly dressed and standing very close to a patrol vehicle of Operation MESA to confirm his identity.
"This led to an argument and subsequently, the unfortunate incident. The soldier was immediately rushed to the Lagos State Polytechnic Hospital, Odogunyan for medical attention but he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital," the statement read.
The remains of the soldier have been moved to 174 Battalion Medical Centre in Ikorodu," the army spokesperson added.
He said the suspect was arrested and kept in military custody for his safety and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria police force for prosecution.
"However, the angry mob who witnessed the unfortunate incident took advantage of this and attacked the police station in the community. Troops have been deployed around the vicinity of all police stations in Ikorodu area to prevent breakdown of law and order. The situation is under control as normalcy has returned to the community," Ayeni said.