Crocodile Smile II: Soldiers allegedly shoot 20-year-old apprentice dead, injure four others in Lagos during raid (Details, pics)

Nigerian Army personnel attached to Exercise Crocodile Smile II have been accused of killing an apprentice, Sadiq Ismaila, 20, and fleeing with his body to cover up the crime, The Nation has reported.

The sad incident occurred around 1:30pm, at Oniru Block Village, Lekki on Tuesday, where they left at least four others injured, including Paul Abudu and Bridget Afolabi.

But the Nigerian Army said the deceased was a “notorious drug peddler, armed robbery kingpin and that he first shot at the soldiers.”

It was gathered that the soldiers, who came in a convoy comprising three armoured tanks and eight Hilux vans, had on Sunday stormed the neighbourhood shooting sporadically before raiding 76 persons.

The residents scampered to safety at hearing the gunshots. Of the people raided, it was learnt that about 65 were handed over to the Maroko Police Division, which transferred them to the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment.

Others were released at the army barrack where they were allegedly subjected to hard labour and made to sleep in the open field. It was also learnt that Ismaila was packing blocks in the village when the problem started. He abandoned them on hearing the gunshots.

According to a food vendor, Rosaline Adedipe, the soldiers shoot Ismaila, because he refused to stop when the soldiers ordered him to do so .

She said: “They shot him on the head.