Army denies destroying BRT buses, says, hoodlums did it

In spite of published photographs and videos that implicated soldiers in the July 4 destruction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses at Palmgrove area, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, the Nigerian Army has stuck to its claim that its men were not responsible for the action.

Video clips and photographs had shown soldiers storm the scene where a BRT bus had knocked down a soldier allegedly riding his motorcycle on a BRT lane. The victim, a Corporal and personnel of the Army Education Corps, reportedly died in the accident.

Eyewitnesses said the angry soldiers descended on everyone at the scene and destroying about 16 BRT buses.

After the crisis, the army issued a statement blaming hoodlums for the destruction but evidences showed otherwise. A photo on Premium Times’ website showed a soldier smashing the wind shield of one of the buses. But the Army has come out again to insist that its men were not responsible for the act.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Omale Ochaguba, a Lieutenant Colonel and spokesman of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, as saying: “The military has no bad relationship with civilians, we are committed to protecting the lives and properties of civilians, we are not anti-civilians”

He insisted the vandalisation of the buses were carried out by hoodlums.

“We ensure obedience to the rules and laws in the state especially in adhering to the BRT lane instruction as the soldier killed was not on the said lane,’’ he said.

He disclosed that the bus that hit the soldier from the back had been towed to Ikeja Cantonment and investigations were ongoing.