A video circulating on social media has shown the moment a Nigerian soldier allegedly assaulted Mr. Olalekan Fakoyejo, an editor with TheCable, following a disagreement over traffic control in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.
According to a report by TheCable, the incident occurred on Saturday, May 2, while Fakoyejo was travelling from Ikeja to Ogba in a commercial tricycle, commonly known as “Keke Napep.”
Eyewitness accounts suggest that soldiers were stationed near an event centre off Ajao Road, where they were controlling traffic. During the operation, one of the soldiers reportedly stopped a tricycle rider and ordered him to carry a soldier as a form of punishment, a move that allegedly worsened traffic congestion in the area.
Fakoyejo, who was trapped in the resulting gridlock, was said to have commented to fellow passengers that the soldiers’ action contributed to the traffic build-up. A soldier who overheard the remark allegedly ordered him and other passengers to alight from the tricycle.
The situation reportedly escalated when the journalist was confronted and instructed to report to other soldiers nearby. While attempting to explain himself to another approaching officer, he was allegedly slapped by one of the soldiers.
A video recorded by an eyewitness shows the soldier pushing Fakoyejo repeatedly and attempting to strike him with a stick. During the altercation, the journalist’s mobile phone reportedly fell and was damaged.
