Soldiers guarding construction workers at Ebute Meta shot and killed a man during a clash with hoodlums over the weekend.
The altercation, which lasted for over an hour, erupted due to the blockage of an access road used by residents of four communities – Odaliki Botanical Garden, Ifesowapo Jones Otto, Ilogbo Shemore, and Ifeoluwa Rail line – by the state government.
The community development association (CDAs) of these communities had submitted multiple petitions to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) expressing their frustration at being isolated from the rest of society due to the blocked access roads.
These communities, housing over 500 thousand inhabitants, requested the government to build a pedestrian bridge. They had initially been promised a motorable road and footbridge by an engineer.
“Regrettably, they have now erected a fence, constructed by CCECC, which has effectively entrapped our entire communities. We earnestly request your assistance in ensuring that our children, elderly mothers, and working class can access their schools, markets, and bus stops,” they appealed.
Although the government acknowledged their recent letter and scheduled a meeting for the current week, frustrated hoodlums took matters into their own hands due to the presence of the fence. They attacked the construction site in an attempt to halt the workers, but soldiers guarding the site intervened.
A confrontation ensued between the soldiers and the hoodlums, resulting in the soldiers firing shots to disperse them. It remains uncertain whether the man who was killed was one of the hoodlums, causing tension in the area.
A viral online video depicted two soldiers in military uniforms firing shots while residents fled. A man was shown lifeless in a pool of blood, with concerned residents expressing their distress.
A background voice was heard accusing the soldiers of causing the death.
A resident who wished to remain anonymous stated, “There has been ongoing conflict between the ‘Omo-oniles’ and the construction workers.
This led to the deployment of soldiers instead of police, as the police were no longer able to handle their disruptive behavior.”
