Two viral videos showing confrontation between members of the Nigerian Army and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) need to be dealt with by relevant organs of the two institutions, to avoid a repeat. In a 31-second video, soldiers wearing scarves to conceal their faces attacked some LASTMA officials. In another 16-second video, a LASTMA official was dragging a soldier out of a bus and hitting him with a stick.

While nobody has linked the two incidents, the relevant authorities should be worried.

Of course, the authorities have to investigate whether they are linked and those involved in the incidents. They also need to ensure the viral videos do not cause further agitation and reprisal attacks.

We agree with the reported statement of the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who said: “I must say it is disturbing that the soldiers/LASTMA conflict is now one too many.” Indeed, it would be sad if the rank and file of the two agencies that should complement each other for public safety, turn on themselves for whatever reasons.”

We are happy to hear from the army chief that “the authorities of the Nigerian Army are genuinely concerned and are embarking on a vigorous sensitisation campaign to educate our personnel on the need to ensure compliance with traffic rules and promote synergy and interagency cooperation in Lagos State and around the country.”

Discipline is the hallmark of the military and as such, a soldier should show discipline at all times. Indeed, discipline is supposed to be an everyday and everywhere synonym for a trained soldier.

Gen Nwachukwu further assured that: “To rein in our personnel, the military police have also been mandated to conduct ‘Operation Checkmate’ by carrying out intermittent surveillance to identify and arrest personnel who violate traffic rules or are found engaging in any untoward activity. The altercations are pointing to the fact that there is a need to strengthen interagency cooperation amongst the security agencies in Lagos.”

The observation of the Army spokesman strikes a chord and we hope the army and LASTMA do the needful.

The needful includes educating their personnel on interagency relationship. Those who wear uniform should be educated to understand that in or out of uniform, they are ambassadors of the institutions they work for. Such a mindset is necessary for discipline at all times. We hope the army will walk its talk, and urge LASTMA to inculcate similar values in their personnel. No doubt the work of LASTMA is sensitive, especially with regards to holding drivers to account, regardless of the institutions they work for.

It is common sight to see military and para-military agencies drive against the traffic or use the exclusive lane reserved for BRT buses. And when they are confronted they feel desecrated, thinking that their uniform puts them above the general regulation for other traffic users. It is also common to see LASTMA officials use their uniform as a license to harass and intimidate drivers for minor traffic offences. Some of them are outright dubious, and should be weeded out of the agency.

For us, the solution to such crisis witnessed recently lies with the relevant heads and officers of the various agencies. With proper orientation, army personnel, both the rank and file, would understand that traffic control and management is for the good of all road users, and as such all must abide by it. On their part, LASTMA officials charged with exercising authority over road users should exercise their responsibility with decorum and respect for all, especially those entrusted with defending the welfare of the nation. Should some military personnel commit any infraction, LASTMA should report to relevant heads, and not resort to self-help.

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