An unidentified soldier was assaulted and left injured in Iree, Osun State, on Tuesday by a group of hoodlums led by an individual known as Gbedu.
The exact reason for the altercation between the soldier, who was in military attire when attacked, and the hoodlums remains unknown.
In a video clip of the incident obtained by our correspondent, two suspected hoodlums, one of whom was identified as Gbedu, were observed physically assaulting the soldier near the Poly Junction Area in Iree while bystanders watched.
During an interview with our correspondent, a shop owner at Poly Junction, speaking on the condition of anonymity, mentioned that after the soldier was attacked and left injured, some of his colleagues arrived at the scene and took him away.
The shop owner stated, "The incident occurred today. I don't know the exact cause of the conflict between the hoodlums and the soldier, but I witnessed them beating him.
We even tried to persuade the hoodlums to stop. Gbedu was leading them, and he's known as a troublemaker in the town."
Furthermore, the spokesperson for the Osun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kehinde Adeleke, confirmed the incident, stating, "Some troublemakers in Iree attacked Nigerian Army personnel who were on a mission to Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, injuring some of them. The exact reason for the attack is still unclear."
In response to the incident, many residents of the town are apprehensive, as they fear potential retaliation from the soldiers. Shops have been closed, and people, including students from the polytechnic, have chosen to remain indoors.
