Council boss to pay soldier’s hospital bill

The Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area is to pay the hospital bills of the soldier stabbed by a youth in the area on Saturday

Confirming this to our correspondent in Lagos when he visited the military hospital on Monday where the injured soldier is receiving treatment, the Chairman of the LCDA, Mr. Goke Felix Olawale, said the council would settle the bills.

He appealed to residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious individual to the police for prompt action.

There was confusion in Obalende Saturday night when soldiers from the 81 Division, Dodan Barracks, Ikoyi, stormed the area and attacked residents, injuring many.

The soldiers’ action was sequel to an incident in the area on Saturday when a youth identified as Babatunde allegedly stabbed a soldier with broken bottle during a disagreement.

The soldier, a sergeant who was in mufti, was allegedly stabbed in five places by the youth and his colleagues for allegedly molesting a female sex worker near a hotel in the area.

Witnesses said the soldiers in a commando-style operation came to the area and started beating everybody at sight.

One of the witnesses, Mrs Eunice Okafor, a resident of Obalende Road, said dozens of soldiers came to the area at night and started beating everybody.

”In the process, some of us sustained injuries. On Saturday, it was war here in Obalende.

“Obalende residents are now appealing to the GOC in charge of 81 Division, Lagos to stop the soldiers from harassing and intimidating residents over a case of two fighting, since the soldier was not putting on uniform when the incident occurred,” she stated

An attempt to speak with the officer in charge of 81 Division on Tuesday proved unsuccessful as soldiers prevented our correspondent from entering the premises.

When contacted for comments, the Sole Admistratior of Ikoyi-Obalende LGA, Mr Goke Felix Olawale, confirmed the incident, adding that security agents had restored peace to the area.

“On Saturday, late in the night, I received information that an Obalende youth identified simply as Babatunde fought a soldier in mufti on Obalende Road and stabbed him with a broken bottle.

“On Monday morning, I went to the military hospital to see the victim who was injured. I also went to the 81 Division, Dodan Barracks, Ikoyi, to see the detained suspect who could not give any cogent reason for his action.

“The Army has promised to hand over the suspect to the police to face prosecution and I promised them that the Council would pay
the hospital bills for the treatment of the victim,” Olawale stated.