Two businessmen who sustained severe injuries 23 years ago after they were shot by men of the Togolese marine soldiers have sought the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in seeking justice.

PUNCH Metro gathered that on September 8, 2000, the Nigerian businessman, Taju Shoaga, alongside his friend and business partner, Segun Leopard, visited Port Autonome, Lomé, Togo, to purchase vehicles that they usually brought back to Nigeria to sell.

It was not their first trip as they were well known at the port by the Europeans, Togolese and other nationalities who were into automobile business at the place.

According to Shoaga, on that fateful day around 8.00am, their agent had called them to quickly fast-track the clearance of the vehicle they just bought to avoid it being vandalised by thugs known for stealing car components. They were busy with this when the soldiers on mufti swooped on them and ordered them to lie down. Shortly after doing this, they suddenly heard gunshots which subsequently pierced through their legs.

“One commander, who was the head of the Navy in the yard, ordered some officers to search and inspect the inside of the car. His officers returned with the documents of the already purchased car and nothing more was found. The commander was provoked; he started slapping the particular officer who shot at us, asking them, ‘Tell me their offence.’

“We were in Tokoin hospital for about four hours without anyone attending to us.

“Later, they asked us if we could pay for our services. I had 140,000 CFA on me, they helped me to bring it out of my pocket, all soaked in my blood. They had to wash off the blood on the money.

“The next day, the case was reported to the Nigerian Embassy in Togo,” Shoaga told The Gavel, an online media outlet. He noted that the then president of Togo paid for the treatment of the two of them.

He however noted that the sum of CFA 250 million approved by the then Togolese government for their treatment did not get to them up to date.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, Shoaga pleaded with President Tinubu “to intervene in the matter because we have put in our efforts. We have tried every means but there’s no way. The last time we went to Abuja to meet representatives of their (Togo) High Commission, thinking everything would be finalised, but up till now, we were only told the matter is being investigated at home and that they would call us. Since then, we have not heard anything.”

“I just want President Tinubu and his smart team to help me intervene in this matter to instruct or invite the High Commission over there (in Togo) or the Nigerian ambassador to Togo, to intervene.

“My second cannot even walk at all, because he still has bullet and iron on his leg. It has not been removed since 23 years.” (The PUNCH)

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