By Soldiers Allegedly Kill Civilians During Isheri Day Festival in Ogun State
Edwin Eriye
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 3 persons in Isheri Olofin community in the Kara area of Ogun State.They were reportedly killed by soldiers on Monday night at ‘Isheri Day’ festival.
Residents of the Isheri/Kara community were thrown into disarray as three unidentified men were allegedly killed by men of the Nigerian Army during a community festival in the border town with Lagos State.
An anonymous source told BlackBox Nigeria that an altercation had earlier occurred on Monday night among the attendees of the festival, as one person identified as Tiri was allegedly beaten beyond recognition.
Tiri was said to have been beaten along with a military personnel who accompanied him to the event.
The soldier who was attached to 81 Division, in reprisal, was said to have mobilized his colleagues, who stormed the scene and opened fire on the suspected assailants.
Three boys were later confirmed dead at the hospital after the fire-out.
The military however denied any wrongdoing in the case.
Disapproving the news, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations in a statement, Major Clement Abisade, said the report was aimed at distracting military operations at checkmating insecurity.
He further stated that “for elimination of skepticism and need for clarity, the true situation is that the troops of 81 Division, Nigerian Army, deployed in internal security in Kara general area of Lagos, following a distress call made a prompt intervention to avoid and impede further grievous bloody clash among the so-called “Isheri boys” yesterday evening.
“The clash, reported to have started between the group members culminated into lawlessness and pandemonium, harassing innocent citizens in the area, who were meant to be enjoying their Salah festival. The troops dispersed this group who had become a public menace and also restored peace in the area, ” he averred in the statement.
