Bolaji Sunday, a commercial driver, was shot by two unidentified soldiers and taken to the hospital after it was claimed that he had parked his car in front of the Oriental Transport Company near the Magboro Bus Stop in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
PUNCH Metro traveled to the location that Sunday after leaving his home to meet someone who wanted to put him in touch with a client.

Sunday parked his car when he reached the part of the group that was reportedly guarded by soldiers.

When the soldier leader confronted the driver for parking there, the driver claimed that he was en route to meet the person who wanted to put him in touch with his customer.

Our correspondent learned that the two soldiers demanded the key to Sunday’s car and told him to sit in a gutter as he was attempting to explain the situation.

The soldiers arrived on Sunday and shot two of the driver’s car tires after noticing that he was still defending his actions at the scene rather than obeying the order.

The driver told our correspondent that he started running and that one of the soldiers allegedly shot him in the back as he attempted to flee in a last-ditch effort to save his life while writhing in agony on a hospital bed at the Real Divine Hospital in the Ibafo neighborhood of the Obafemi Owode LGA.

I came out on Saturday to meet the person who will give me the contact information for the customer I was supposed to carry on Sunday,” he said. I then put my car in park close to the Magboro Bridge. The soldier commander questioned why I had parked my bus there and asked for my key as I prepared to meet the person. Later, he instructed me to sit in the gutter.

“I was simply waiting for my customer; I did not steal anything. But before I knew it, they were using a belt to beat me. They shot two of my tires and broke my windscreen when I attempted to hold the belt. I quickly leaped to the ground and began to flee for my life, but the soldiers shot me in the back, causing me to fall into the gutter.

“While I was in the gutter, I began to yell for assistance, but no one responded because they were afraid. Later, I received assistance from a driver who was heading to Ibadan, Oyo State. I was pulled out of the gutter by the driver, who then took me to the hospital. They shot me in the arm and back, and the bullet went through both.

Our correspondent observed Sunday at the hospital and noted that he appeared pale with bandages around his neck and chest. Alongside him, about six drip containers were hung.

Oluwatosin, Sunday’s wife, expressed sorrow over her husband’s condition and claimed that despite her husband’s pleadings with the soldiers to let him drive the car away from the scene, they allegedly refused and shot him.

“My husband just wanted to get the number of one of his clients at the spot where he parked his car,” she remarked. However, the soldiers unexpectedly appeared and told him to sit in the gutter.

“I questioned what he did wrong; he begged them to let him drive his bus away from the scene, but the soldiers burst his tires right after. My husband was shot by the soldiers when he attempted to flee. His windscreen was also destroyed by the soldiers.

The windscreen and door of Sunday’s car were seen to have been damaged in the photos our correspondent has in his possession. Broken glasses covered the bus floor, and one of the deflated tires was also visible.

Later, our correspondent went to the attack’s scene to interview witnesses.

A motorcyclist identified only as Jubril suggested that the soldiers might be watching over a company near the Magboro Bridge and added that Sunday had unintentionally parked close to the company.

The windscreen and door of Sunday’s car were seen to have been damaged in the photos our correspondent has in his possession. Broken glasses covered the bus floor, and one of the deflated tires was also visible.

Later, our correspondent went to the attack’s scene to interview witnesses.

A motorcyclist identified only as Jubril suggested that the soldiers might be watching over a company near the Magboro Bridge and added that Sunday had unintentionally parked close to the company.

The driver shouldn’t have argued with the soldiers, he continued. If I were the one, I would simply pleadingly leave. I don’t blame the driver and I don’t agree with the soldiers’ actions, but I don’t believe Sunday should have gotten into a fight with them.

Omolola Odutola, the state police public relations officer, responded to the development by saying that efforts were being made to find the evading soldier who had shot the victim.

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