By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde and the Nigerian Army to call to order the army personnel who unleashed terror on the staff members of the pensioners’ radio station, FM 106.7.
Secretary of the union, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, who made this call in a statement said the incident in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Abatan, also the Managing Director of the pensioners’radio station, alleged that the soldier who was drunk shot, was on the convoy of the task force on the implementation of curfew.
He assaulted a staff member of the pensioners’ FM 106.7, who is the Head of Programmes and News of the Station, Dr. Babatunde Tiamiyu, around the Total Petrol Station at 8.15pm on March 31 on his way home.
He said: “The tyre of the vehicle of the radio shot by the drunk soldier got shattered. Dr. Tiamiyu escaped death by the whiskers. His mate on the convoy called his attention to the fact that radio personnel belong to those on essential duties.
Rather than heed his mates, he went on the rampage and went on a shooting spree shattering the tyres of about seven vehicles packed at the petrol station.
“We seize the opportunity to implore that security personnel that would be on essential duties during this Coronavirus pandemic are those who are certified mentally stable.
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This is not a time to re-enact the ‘Unknown Soldier Era’ of the 70s when innocent Nigerians were brutally mowed by those whose duties were to protect them. We also call on people of good conscience to condemn this act of barbarity by the drunk soldier.”
Abatan, however, disclosed that soon after they issued their statement on the incident, the Commander of Oyo State Special Security Outfit, “Operation Burst”, Brigadier-General Thomas Ogunsugba visited the radio station to apologise over the personnel’s action.
“He described the media and security agencies as partners in progress for the development of the country, stating that the act by the said officer was unfortunate.
“The Brigadier-General, who is also a garrison commander in the Nigerian Army, however, expressed displeasure over the way the news was reported, describing it as scary and damaging to the image of Nigerian Army, saying there was no record of shooting at the scene of the incident along New Ife Road, Ibadan, on the fateful day contrary to reports.
“He explained that efforts were ongoing to identify the soldier who acted wrongfully. He added that the news report on the incident has gone viral and has been putting pressure on the leadership of the security outfit.”
General Manager Pensioners FM 106.7 FM, Mr Lere Shittu, who called for cordial relationship between the media and security agencies, wants those saddled with public security to be civil and respect people’s right even during emergency situations.
The victim of the incident Tiamiyu, who was also at the meeting, appreciated the Brigadier-General for his sense of responsibility and display of maturity on the issue.
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