Soldiers assault Edo WAI officials

Some soldiers allegedly attached to some expatriates working with the Setraco Construction Company on Wednesday beat up officials of the Edo State Committee on War Against Indiscipline.

Army Brutality

The soldiers also attacked officials of the Task Force on Transport at the premises of the state Ministry of Transport before they proceeded to the State Magistrate Court at Evboriaria.

At the court premises, the soldiers chased out Magistrates and court officials brandishing guns and later released four persons who were to be arraigned by the WAI officials for traffic related offence.

The soldiers came to the court in two white Hilux Vans accompanied by a whiteman whose country of origin could not be verified.

Trouble started for the WAI officials after they arrested a woman identified as Edna Oriakogba for violating traffic along Airport road in Benin City.

Edna was said to have called two males while at WAI office.

The two males later made phone calls that brought the soldiers to the WAI office along Ezoti Street.

One of the soldiers charged at journalists and corked his gun to prevent them from covering their assault.

At the court premises, one of the soldiers who held a horse whip, was heard saying it was rubbish for any policeman to talk to them.

Among the five WAI officials injured in the fracas are Lucky Jeff, Kingsley Ade and Sunday Omera.

Jeff showed reporters his back and head where he was whipped severally.

Soldiers assault Edo WAI officials