Soldiers
attached to the Flag House, Force Road, Lagos, have been accused of
k*lling a 61-year-old man, Adewale Olupitan-Hazzan.
It was learnt that the soldiers who were driving in a military convoy on
Ikorodu Road on July 15 went on the rampage and brutalised Adewale, a
road user, for allegedly breaking the side mirror of one of the vehicles
in their convoy.
It
was gathered that Adewale was bundled out of his Toyota Camry and
thoroughly beaten by the soldiers at the Obanikoro end of Ikorodu Road.
Adewale’s younger brother, Adedotun, said his brother even up till the
time of his death, insisted that he did not do anything wrong to warrant
such brutality.
He
said, “He said when he heard the sound of the siren, he slowed down and
adjusted to pave the way for them but was taken aback when the last car
in the convoy, a Peugeot 407, marked NA 01AO, parked beside him.
“He said before he knew it, the soldiers bundled him out of his car beat
him up and hit him repeatedly with the butts of their guns.”
Adedotun said a military officer identified simply as Capt. Peter, who
was just passing by was moved by his predicament and urged the rampaging
soldiers to release him.
Adedotun
said, “But unfortunately Peter’s intervention could not secure his
release, they insisted that he must follow them to their base to see one
of their superiors. They also took his car with them.
“However, Peter followed them to the Flag Staff House and eventually
secured his release on the condition that he replaced the side mirror.”
Adedotun said though Adewale, who retired as an assistant director,
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in 2006, did not
break the side mirror of the vehicle, he replaced it to allow peace to
reign and later got his car released on July 16.
He
said when his brother got home, he complained about nagging headache
and later had a swollen head.
He said, “He received treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute
Meta, before he was moved to the Lagos State University Teaching
Hospital and later referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
“A brain surgery was carried out on him on July 29 after X-ray
examinations revealed that he had a head trauma. He died some few hours
after the operation.”
A
death certificate issued by LUTH dated July 29, indicated Adewale
suffered from subdural hematoma following a head trauma.
The certificate signed by Dr. Alagbe, stated the primary cause of
Adewale’s death was “Subacute Subdural Hematoma,” the secondary cause
was “Cardiopulmonary failure.” It added that “the disease had continued
till his death.”
A doctor, who craved anonymity, said the death certificate showed that
there was “bleeding into the space between the dura (covering of the
brain) and the brain itself.”
The
deceased first son, Omololu, whose wedding ceremony billed for October
20 has been suspended, said his father could not have argued with the
soldiers because he had always warned them not to argue with armed men.
He said, “The brutality meted out to my father which eventually led to
his death was unwarranted. I wonder why they threw caution to the wind
and pounced on an unarmed civilian in such a manner.
“He always says ‘try and avoid them, because they are troublesome and
dangerous. They can go to any length to get what they want. Whenever
they stop you, give to them whatever they demand for.”
The
deceased’s elder brother, Ademola, said Adewale was an easy-going man.
He said, “He was a pillar of support for many members of the family.
It’s very unfortunate that his life was cut short abruptly in such a
wicked manner. He was not a trouble maker.”
Adewale’s wife, Adedoyinsola, who spoke with our correspondent, said the
soldiers had taken away her joy.
She said, “My husband’s death is a big blow. He toiled day and night and
now that he should be eating the fruits of his long years of labour,
the soldiers took away his life for no just cause.
“This
is an irreparable loss. The Nigerian Army authorities must not cover up
the perpetrators of this wicked act. They should be fished out and they
should allow justice to prevail.”
However, the deceased’s driver, Aduragbemi Soneye, said he could
identify the soldier who led the attack.
He said, “My boss, myself and two of the soldiers that led the onslaught
against him (Adewale) went to replace the mirror of the vehicle on July
16. My boss pointed the ring leader to me. I can identify him and one
other if they are brought before me.”
In
a petition written by Adedotun on behalf of the family and addressed to
the Special Investigation Bureau of the Nigerian Army, Arakan Barracks,
Apapa, Lagos, the family demanded that the army authorities should
investigate the incident.
The petition dated August 2 and titled, ‘Death of Adewale
Olupitan-Hazzan’ reads in part, “From the result of the X-ray
examinations and death certificate as well as the chain of events, it is
obvious that the deceased who had no history of a terminal ailment died
from the beating of the soldiers.
“In
this circumstance, we, the family members of the deceased, are crying
out for justice. We demand that the matter be thoroughly investigated
and the perpetrators brought to book.”
When contacted on the phone, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the
Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Kayode Ogunsanya, said he was not aware of the
incident.
“I am not aware of it. I would have to contact the Special Investigation
Bureau of the Nigerian Army to get the details of the incident,” he
said.
