Soldiers Vandalise KAI Vehicle over Arrest of Trader

Lagos State’s Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials came under severe attack from a group of soldiers in the Ojuelegba area of the state Monday which resulted in the vandalisation of their vehicle.

The KAI officials had their operational vehicle vandalised by soldiers, who were said to have questioned their decision to arrest a trader and his wheelbarrow.

The confrontation left the windscreen and wing mirrors of the vehicle smashed, while the tyres were also deflated as the discipline enforcement officials fled for their lives.

Titus Akinrin, an eyewitness, said, “On Thursday, around 9am, KAI officials sighted a fruit seller in an unauthorised location and asked him to leave, but he refused. While putting him inside the KAI vehicle, some soldiers passed by and obstructed the KAI officials. They vandalised the KAI vehicle. The officials left their operational vehicle and fled.”

This has been confirmed by KAI’s Public Affairs Officer, Rahmat Alabi, who said the perpetrators fled before the intervention of the police.

“The vehicle was extensively damaged by the military men before the arrival of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad and the Area C Command.

“The windscreen, two side door glasses, the wing mirrors and inner mirror of our operational vehicle were damaged. As we speak, the fruit seller has returned to the same spot.” Alabi said

Similarly, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that those responsible will be made to face the law.

“There are video clips of the incident showing that a soldier was involved. The military authorities have been contacted for an identification parade. The police hope to arrest the perpetrators very soon,” she said.

Punch reports say that the spokesperson, 81 division of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Colonel Kingsley Samuel, could not be immediately reached for comment on the development.