4th July, 2014
Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola has condemned Friday’s mayhem at Palmgrove area on Ikorodu Road in which irate soldiers allegedly set ablaze eight BRT and Lagbus buses and unleashed terror on residents of the area.
Reacting to the development on Friday at the State House, Ikeja, Fashola said he had been in touch with the Brigade Commander who assured him that he was managing the situation.
The governor said he had not verified the information and that he was waiting for formal report before he could ventilate his position, but noted that if what he heard was true, the soldiers acted irresponsibly, while the act should be condemned.
“There is allegation that someone who was not suppose to be on the BRT route was on it. As far I know, if something happens to you while you are conducting an unlawful act, it is criminal offense in its own sense.
“But it is really disappointing that public servants and that is what soldiers are, paid with tax payer’s money, will act in a manner that is being suggested because I am waiting for official report to let me know who played what role and what happened and whether the brigade commander has been able to identify the people who committed the offense,” he said.
He recalled that in 2006, soldiers burnt down a police barrack which cost the state government lots of money to rebuild, saying that setting BRT buses on fire was a debilitating act.
“I remember in 2006 when soldiers stormed barracks and set the place ablaze, that is the Area ‘C’ Police Command. We just managed to reconstruct the command. If buses that citizens are complaining are not enough are set ablaze, I do not know how setting ablaze buses recompense any injury that one may have suffered.
“I do not know how damaging public property is the restitution for the any injury that may have come. For now, the only thing that I can say to you is that when I get the full fact, I will address the residents, to let them know what happened and what the state’s action will be.”