by Rachel Ogbu

28 Soldiers were arrested for unauthorised movement on the streets of Lagos, the Military Police revealed on Thursday.

Spokesman for the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Maj. Oyegoke Badamosi said the soldiers were arrested by the military police attached to “Operation Checkmate” to control misconduct and unauthorised movement of personnel in the city.

Sources claim the soldiers were rounded up around Onipanu and Palm Grove areas of Lagos causing motorists and pedestrians in the area to panic during the operation.

Badamosi has said people should get used to it because the operation which was aimed at checkmating soldiers who go about without staying at their duty posts would be a daily routine and would be extended to other parts of the state to enable the military authority to continue to enforce armed forces rules on erring personnel.

He, however, said those arrested had been released after confirmation from their offices that they were genuine personnel, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.