A driver, identified as Bolaji Sunday, has narrated how he was shot by two yet-to-be-identified soldiers for parking his vehicle at the front of the Oriental Transport Company around Magboro Bus Stop, in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
In an interview with The Punch, the now hospitalized driver stated that he left his residence and drove to the location to meet someone who wanted to connect him with a customer.
When he got to the front of the company reportedly guarded by soldiers, he parked his vehicle.
The driver was reportedly on his way to meet the individual who would connect him with his customer when he was challenged by the leader of the soldiers for parking in the area.
As he attempted to explain himself, he stated that two soldiers demanded the vehicle’s key and ordered him to squat in a gutter.
After realising that he was still explaining his reason at the location instead of complying with the order, the soldiers descended upon him and fired two tyres off of his vehicle.
Sunday, while writhing in agony on a sickbed at the Real Divine Hospital in the Ibafo area of the Obafemi Owode LGA, stated that he fled in an attempt to save his life, adding that one of the soldiers allegedly shot him in the back.
He said, “I came out on Saturday to meet the person that will give me the number of the customer I was to carry on Sunday. So I parked my vehicle at a location around the Magboro Bridge. I was going to meet the person when the commander of the soldiers asked why I parked my bus at the location and requested my key. He later told me to sit inside the gutter.
“I did not steal anything; I was just waiting for my customer. But before I knew it, they started beating me with a belt. When I tried to hold the belt, they broke my windscreen and shot two of my tyres. I quickly jumped down and started running away for my safety but the soldiers shot my back and I fell inside the gutter.
“While in the gutter, I started calling for help but no one came to my rescue because they were afraid. It was later that a driver, who was travelling to Ibadan, Oyo State, helped me. The driver brought me out of the gutter and drove me to the hospital. They shot me in the back and arm; the bullet penetrated through and came out from the other side of my body.”
Reacting to the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said efforts were on to track the fleeing soldier who shot the victim.
She said, “The incident occurred at Magboro Bus Stop, where Oriental Transport Company usually park their vehicles. The soldiers attached to the company asked Bolaji Sunday, 35, to move the vehicle he parked in front of the company away, an argument ensued and one of the soldiers fired him.
“Sunday was rushed to the hospital where the Divisional Police Officer is in communication with him and he is also responding to treatment. No other available information has reached the police as to the real reason for that extent of provocation; residents were appeased to remain calm while effort is ongoing to track the unidentified fleeing soldier.”
Also, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, when contacted said he would find out about the case and get back to newsmen.
“Give me some time; let me find out what really happened. Let me investigate it, I’ll get back to you,” he said.
