Lagos Govt condemns attack on KAI officials by army personnel
By Sodiq Adelakun
In response to an attack on officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) while they were performing their lawful duties in the Yaba area on Tuesday by personnel from the Nigerian Army, the Lagos state government has decried the action.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, condemned the “unprovoked attack” and emphasised the need for respect and adherence to civil governance by military personnel.
The altercation reportedly occurred under the directive of Major Adebiyi and Captain Gowon, leading to public disquiet over the military’s role in civil matters.
In his statement, Wahab expressed gratitude to senior military officials, including Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T. Lagbaja, and the Director of Chaplain Services, Lt. Col. T.E. Ogbonyomi, for their prompt and decisive intervention, which helped de-escalate the situation.
Wahab asserted, “Earlier today, officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), lawfully engaged in their duties in Yaba, were subjected to an unprovoked attack by personnel of the Nigerian Army. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lieutenant General T. Lagbaja and Lt. Col. T.E. Ogbonyomi for their swift intervention in support of civil authorities.”
The commissioner emphasised the importance of civil authority, stating, “Their leadership has ensured that KAI officers continue to carry out their responsibilities without further disruption, reinforcing the principle that military personnel are subject to the authority of civil governance within their jurisdictions.”
Wahab further stated that such attacks would not be tolerated in the future.
“We strongly condemn this unwarranted and unacceptable assault on officers executing their lawful duties. Moving forward, such acts will not be tolerated. We remain committed to ensuring a #CleanerLagos by upholding safety and sanitation standards across the state,” he added.
This incident follows a similar occurrence last month when a suspect assaulted a civilian staff member of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources while resisting arrest for defecating on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Lagos State officials are calling for a review of the roles of military personnel in civil environments to prevent a recurrence of such disgraceful incidents.
This latest clash has reignited debates over the boundaries of military authority in a civil context, posing serious implications for governance and law enforcement in the state.
The Lagos State Government has vowed to uphold the rule of law and ensure that citizens, including those in law enforcement, can perform their responsibilities without fear of violence or intervention from military forces.
