Army refutes claims of soldiers burning police station following the death of a colleague.

The Nigerian Army has denied claims that soldiers destroyed a police station in the Ogijo neighborhood on Wednesday in retaliation for a fellow soldier’s passing.

Some locals claimed that soldiers broke into the station as retaliation for the death of their colleague, who they claimed was slain by a police officer who set fire to several properties, including cars and a police station.

However, a statement released on Thursday and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 81 Division Nigerian Army, said that an enraged mob had attacked military members.

He claimed that the mob saw the event that resulted in the soldier’s death and used it as justification to attack the station.

“Murder of a soldier: Angry crowd storms police station,” read the statement’s headline.

“Angry mob at Ogijo Community, a border town between Ogun and Lagos states attacked a Police Station following the death of a soldier who was stabbed to death by a policeman.

“The mob who witnessed the unfortunate incident took advantage of this and attacked Police Station in the community.

He described what happened, saying the dead soldier was attempting to verify the identity of a police officer who was standing by their car in an inappropriate outfit.

The event turned into a brawl, according to Ayeni, which led to the death of a soldier.

In order to ensure his safety, he claimed that the police officer had been detained by the military and would soon be turned over to the Nigerian Police Force for prosecution.

Ayeni said, “The victim confronted the suspect who was not properly dressed and standing very close to the Patrol Vehicle of Operation MESA to confirm his identity.

“This led to an argument and subsequently, the unfortunate incident.

“The soldier was immediately rushed to Lagos State Polytechnic Hospital, Odogunyan, for medical attention, but he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

“The remains of the soldier have been moved to 174 Battalion Medical Centre in Ikorodu.

“The suspect has also since been arrested and kept in military custody for his safety and subsequent hand over to Nigeria Police for prosecution.”

To prevent the breakdown of law and order, he continued, troops had been stationed close to every police station in Ikorodu.

However, according to Ayeni, the situation had been under control and the neighborhood had back to normal.