Two unidentified soldiers have publicly rebuked Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the apprehension of their fellow soldier and three motorcyclists, caught driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The soldiers, captured in separate viral videos, criticized the governor’s actions, defending their colleague and expressing disapproval of Sanwo-Olu’s alleged derogatory remarks.
Governor Sanwo-Olu reportedly directed the arrest of a soldier and three motorcyclists on Tuesday for violating traffic rules.
In a widely circulated video, the governor is seen instructing the detainment of one motorcyclist claiming to be a soldier, going as far as expressing his intention to lock him up.
The first soldier, responding to the arrest, vehemently argued that the state governor lacked the authority to arrest a soldier, particularly in front of a military barracks. He emphasized that soldiers were not subject to the control of state governors but were answerable to their senior officers.
The soldier questioned the governor’s actions, asserting the soldier’s right to stand his ground, especially near a military barracks.
In another video, a different soldier criticized Governor Sanwo-Olu for allegedly belittling his fellow soldier and three other motorcyclists. Expressing frustration, the soldier questioned the treatment of soldiers who, he claimed, endure hardship day and night for inadequate pay. He also mentioned the alleged placing of an iron in the injured Lance Corporal’s hand.
The soldiers highlighted the peaceful atmosphere in Lagos as a factor influencing the governor’s actions, contrasting it with the North-East, where one of the soldiers claimed to be stationed, suggesting such an incident would be less likely there.