A suspected drunk driver has reportedly killed four soldiers and injured several others during their monthly road jogging exercise near Myoung Barracks in the Morocco area of Shomolu, Lagos.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, has sparked panic in the area, with reports indicating that angry soldiers retaliated by attacking the vehicle’s occupants.
Eyewitness: ‘The Car Was Speeding Before Hitting the Soldiers’
An eyewitness, Priscilla, who lives in the area, told reporters that the Toyota vehicle, carrying three young men, was moving at full speed before crashing into the group of jogging soldiers.
"The incident happened this morning while the soldiers were doing their routine road walk. Suddenly, the car came speeding and rammed into them right in front of the barracks," she recounted.
According to Priscilla, after the accident, the young men inside the vehicle tried to flee, but they were quickly apprehended by bystanders and soldiers.
Angry Mob Retaliates, One Suspect Stabbed
The eyewitness further revealed that the suspects were mercilessly beaten, their car vandalized, and one of them was stabbed by the soldiers in retaliation.
"Four soldiers died on the spot, while several others sustained serious injuries. After the crash, the young men tried to escape, but they were caught and beaten into a stupor. Their car was destroyed, and one of them was stabbed," she added.
The incident has caused tension among residents of the area, who fear possible military reprisal.
Authorities Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Olabisi Ayeni, nor the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The situation remains tense as residents await a formal response from military and police authorities.
