Soldier Assaults Journalist in Lagos Traffic Altercation: A Deep Dive into Civil-Military Relations and Accountability

In a troubling incident that underscores the fragile state of civil-military relations in Nigeria, Olalekan Fakoyejo, a journalist with TheCable and its Assistant Business Editor, was allegedly assaulted by a soldier during a traffic altercation in the Ogba area of Lagos State. This event, which occurred on a Saturday, has reignited public discourse on the conduct of military personnel in civilian spaces and the mechanisms for accountability.

The Incident: A Detailed Account

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Metro on Monday, Fakoyejo recounted the harrowing experience. He had boarded a tricycle from Ikeja to Ogba when he encountered soldiers directing traffic near the Pleasant Event Centre, off Ajao Road, Ikeja. The soldiers were attempting to manage congestion, but their methods—specifically, punishing a tricycle driver by forcing him to climb onto the roof of his vehicle—created further obstruction.

Fakoyejo noted, “The soldier was trying to punish a tricycle driver on a different lane. He asked the driver to step out and climb on the roof of his tricycle. What he was doing was causing traffic, and I said this is causing traffic. I was in another tricycle on another lane, which was not far from where the other tricycle was.”

This verbal observation, made in a moment of frustration, triggered an aggressive response. The soldier allegedly dragged Fakoyejo out of the tricycle, threatened him, and ordered him to report to colleagues stationed elsewhere. When Fakoyejo refused, citing his innocence and the soldier’s lack of authority, the situation escalated. “During the period, he kept pushing me backwards towards where he said his colleagues were, then one of his colleagues came to speak to me. As I was explaining to the colleague that walked up to us, the soldier that was threatening me just slapped me immediately I turned my face towards him,” Fakoyejo added.

Eyewitness Evidence and Escalation

A video recorded by an eyewitness, as reported by TheCable, corroborates Fakoyejo’s account. The footage shows the soldier repeatedly shoving the journalist and attempting to strike him with a cudgel picked from the ground. During the scuffle, Fakoyejo’s phone fell onto the tarmac, shattering its screen—a tangible loss that symbolizes the broader damage to trust in uniformed institutions.

Passers-by intervened, urging the journalist to leave the scene to avoid further harm. However, as he walked away, two additional soldiers accosted him and allegedly threatened to whip him, with bystanders pleading for calm. This pattern of intimidation, even after the initial confrontation, raises serious questions about the training and discipline of military personnel deployed for civilian traffic management.

Broader Context: A Recurring Concern

This incident is not an isolated case. Instances of military personnel assaulting civilians have become a recurring concern involving the Nigerian Army, sometimes resulting in injuries or fatalities. For example, PUNCH Metro reported on August 27 that the Nigerian Army faced public backlash following the death of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, in the Dei-Dei area of the Federal Capital Territory. The Army claimed that troops came under fire from fleeing suspects, leading to a gun duel in which Jamiu was caught in the crossfire. However, the victim’s family rejected this account, demanding a public apology and justice.

These cases highlight a systemic issue: the lack of clear protocols for civilian interactions, inadequate oversight, and a culture of impunity. When soldiers are tasked with traffic control—a role typically reserved for police or traffic enforcement agencies—they often lack the specialized training in de-escalation and civilian rights. This gap can lead to unnecessary confrontations and violence.

Practical Implications for Civilians

For ordinary Nigerians, these incidents serve as a stark reminder of the power imbalance between armed personnel and unarmed citizens. If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider the following steps:

• Stay calm and avoid confrontation: Verbal disagreements can escalate quickly. If possible, document the incident discreetly (e.g., via phone recording) without provoking the officer.
• Seek witnesses: Bystanders can provide crucial testimony or video evidence. Politely ask them to record or note the soldier’s name, unit, or vehicle number.
• Report promptly: File a complaint with the nearest police station, the Army’s Public Relations office, or human rights organizations like the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
• Seek legal counsel: If injured or your property is damaged, consult a lawyer to explore options for civil suits or criminal charges.

Institutional Response and Accountability

Efforts to get a response from the Army spokesperson, Appolonia Anele, were unsuccessful as she had yet to reply to messages sent to her line as of the time of filing this report. This lack of immediate response is troubling, as it suggests a reluctance to engage with allegations of misconduct. For the Nigerian Army to rebuild public trust, it must adopt a transparent, timely, and fair investigative process. This includes:

• Immediate suspension of accused personnel pending investigation.
• Public release of findings and disciplinary actions taken.
• Implementation of mandatory civilian interaction training for all personnel deployed in public spaces.
• Establishment of an independent oversight body to review complaints against military personnel.

Comparative Perspective: How Other Nations Handle Civil-Military Interactions

In countries like the United States, the Posse Comitatus Act restricts the military from engaging in domestic law enforcement, except under specific circumstances (e.g., national emergencies). In contrast, Nigeria’s military is frequently deployed for internal security operations, including traffic control, which blurs the line between military and police functions. This practice, while sometimes necessary due to police capacity gaps, requires robust safeguards to prevent abuse.

For instance, the UK’s Ministry of Defence Police operates under strict protocols for civilian interactions, with body cameras mandatory for all officers. Nigeria could adopt similar measures to ensure accountability and transparency.

Conclusion: A Call for Systemic Change

The assault on Olalekan Fakoyejo is more than a single act of aggression; it is a symptom of a deeper malaise in civil-military relations. While the journalist’s courage in speaking out is commendable, the onus is on the Nigerian Army to demonstrate that such behavior is not tolerated. Without meaningful reform—including better training, independent oversight, and a culture of accountability—incidents like this will continue to erode public confidence in one of the nation’s most critical institutions.

As citizens, we must remain vigilant, document abuses, and demand justice. Only through collective action can we ensure that the uniform symbolizes protection, not intimidation.

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