Defence Minister, Obanikoro Absolves Military Over Lagos BRT Rage, Blames Hoodlums

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Saturday, July 5th, 2014

By Tajudeen Balogun

The Minister of State for Defence, Musliu Obanikoro has absolved the Military from Friday attack, damages and burning of some state BRT buses at Palmgroove and Onipanu areas on Ikorodu road, Lagos.

Burnt BRT Buses

Some parts of the ever busy axis yesterday momentarily became no-go area as the Military from Yaba barracks stormed Onipanu and went on rampage – blocked the road, smashed the windscreens and mirrors as well as burnt four dedicated (BRT) buses, in protest against the killing of a colleague named Mathew Ishaya, by one of the buses, who was allegedly being trailed by the officials of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) for plying the dedicated lane.

Obanikoro who reacted via his twitter handle said on Friday, that Military were not responsible for the breaking of law and order in the area, rather it was the hoodlums at the scene who fomented the reported mayhem and caused damages to the government vehicles.

He held that he has been fully briefed by the Chief of Army Staff about the development, revealed that investigations were ongoing and urged Lagosians to be calm and proceed on their normal social and business activities.

Deputy Director, Public Relations of the barracks, Rigthman Ogie who spoke on behalf of the Military pointed out that their officers were checked on getting to the scene of the accident, but added that the situation went out of hands when the touts hijacked the military reaction to the killing.

The situation created long traffic snarl from Ojuelegba to Maryland areas of the state.

Meanwhile, the management of the BRT buses has withdrawn the vehicles from plying the road, apparently to forestall further havocs, especially as the driver of the bus that killed the dead officer is yet to be produced as demanded by the Military.