Soldiers chain man to motorcycle in Lagos, drag him on street

A disagreement between the girlfriend of a military officer and Saheed, the younger brother of an electronics dealer in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Lukman Lambo, left him with an injury and a need to undergo a surgery to regain the use of his left eye after he got chained to a motorcycle and got dragged him on the street by soldiers.

Punch reports that Saheed and the lady, identified simply as Dasola, who were lovers and neighbours at Itulubajo Lane, Alhaji Street, Ikorodu, until few weeks ago when they had a money disagreement which strained their relationship.

However their fight started after they went to watch a clash between some residents which occurred around 11am on Saturday, November 11, in the house where Saheed lives and Dasola. It was gathered that Saheed, rebuked the said lady for poking her nose into a situation that did not concern her. At about 5pm on that day, Dasola reportedly led her soldier boyfriend in company with three other soldiers to Saheed’s residence.

The soldiers who didn’t meet Saheed at home, rained blows on Saheed’s elder brother Lukman’s face, handcuffed him to a motorcycle, rode the bike and dragged him on the street. Lukman was left by the soldiers after blood started coming out from his eyes.

“Where Saheed lives is our family house, but I don’t reside there. I went to the house and someone told me that Saheed had a fight with a lady who had gone to call soldiers to beat him up.

The person added that the soldiers might kill him and I asked him why they would kill him, not knowing they were already behind me. They were four in number and three of them were in army uniform without tags.

They beat me up and in the process, the one that is befriending the lady hit me on the face. They handcuffed me to a motorcycle and dragged me on the street.
People begged them to leave me, but they refused. They should be from Odogunyan barracks. I can identify them if I see them.

Doctors at the Ikorodu General Hospital, where I was admitted, said I might have to undergo a surgery. I have spent a lot of money on the eye.”

The case was reported at the Igbogbo Police Station and Dasola was arrested. Saheed explained that a week before the incident, he had taken Dasola to an inn in the community. .

He said after the date, he gave her N1,500, but she rejected it, insisting that she would collect N2,500. Saheed said,

“She later collected the N1,500, but tore my clothes.

Afterwards, she would abuse me whenever she saw me. On Saturday, November 11, my friends fought in our compound and she came. I told her she was nosy. We abused each other and she left and later came back with the soldiers to intimidate me.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde-Famous Cole, confirmed the assault.

He said, “Investigations commenced after the case was reported. The lady was arrested for conspiring with the soldiers to assault the man. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
“The Divisional Police Officer found out that the suspects were from an army barracks. We have to write to the Nigerian Army to report their conduct and get them identified so that they could be brought to book.”