A Nigerian Army sergeant, identified as Balogun Oluwafemi, and an unnamed colleague are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the death of an artisan, known simply as Yahaya, in the Abaranje area of Ikotun, Lagos State.
According to a police report, the incident occurred following a dispute over a ₦1.5 million payment made by one Olamide Sodiq Adeosun for the installation of Plaster of Paris (POP) work in his residence opposite Aso Rock Hotel on Abaranje Road.
Adeosun, a resident of 36 Tomori Street, Atan, Ogun State, told officers at the Ikotun Police Station that he had contracted Yahaya to carry out the POP installation. However, the artisan allegedly absconded without completing the job or refunding the money.
In a bid to recover the funds, Adeosun reportedly sought the help of his friend, Sergeant Oluwafemi, who arrived at the scene accompanied by another yet-to-be-identified military personnel.
Witnesses allege that the two soldiers forced Yahaya to engage in strenuous “frog jump” exercises as a form of punishment and intimidation. During the ordeal, the artisan reportedly collapsed.
Efforts to revive him proved futile, and he was rushed to Isolo General Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead on arrival.
The Divisional Police Officer in Ikotun and a team of officers responded to the incident and have since transferred Yahaya’s body to Mainland General Hospital, Yaba, where it was deposited for autopsy.
Police have taken Adeosun into custody for questioning, while investigations into the involvement of the military personnel are ongoing. The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
The case has sparked outrage among residents, who are calling for justice and accountability in the wake of the artisan’s tragic death.
