Gen. Diya's Son, Col. Shola Caught In Abuse Of Military Power Scandal

Scores of armed soldiers led by son of the former Chief of Defense Staff, General Oladipo Diya on Monday evening left several people wounded after a two-hour invasion of the Greenland Estate locate in Lagos. Residents told our correspondent on Monday evening that the soldiers acted with impunity and met entreaties with unrestrained violence.
The soldiers who came in a Hilux van backed by a black jeep were led by one Col. Sola Diya who is the Chief Security Officer, (CSO) of 9th Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment. Hundreds of residents including children coming from schools and workers returning home were stranded and molested at the security gate as the soldiers shot sporadically followed by horsewhip of residents, including married women.. Two Muslim women had their Hijab torn into shreds by the rampaging soldiers. On their way back after the siege, residents of Mende reported that the soldiers stripped two men naked for obstructing their way..
Security men guarding the estate were asked to lie down while the soldiers marched on them in turns, hitting them with gun butts. On grief-stricken old woman said the soldiers took away her telephone and her purse containing some cash.
‘It was like a war scene. I came back from work to see the entire area cordoned off. The soldiers led by Gen Diya’s son pounced on passersby. They attacked men and women. Children were wailing. One school bus with little children was attacked by the soldiers. Two veiled Muslim women were attacked and their veil tore into shreds,” a resident, Mr John Achenu told our correspondent. He said the Col demonstrated the highest form of indiscipline unexpected of a soldier.
He said “He was extremely violent. He was contemptuous of the military as an institution. I walked up to him. I told him his actions were disrespectful of President Mohammadu Buhari and the military. He slapped me, kicked me down and asked me to eat sand. He hit my head with a pistol. I think he is not from a good home. His training at home and in the military is very poor. He is a disgrace to the military profession.”

Another woman who does not wish to be named said the soldiers asked her to lie down inspite of her pregnancy. “They pointed their guns at me. They asked me to lie on my chest. I pleaded but they attacked me. I think this man has no respect for the government he serves. His action has portrayed the army in extremely bad light and it’s a terrible signal for the image of President Buhari. What do they expect the over 10,000 voters in this estate to think of the current government?”
Sources told our correspondent that General Diya, Col Sola’s father has a block of 12 flats in the estate. The source said the houses have been converted to brothels where suspected drug addicts, hooligans, criminals and crooks hibernate all nights. The source said Col Diya is found of using the hostels as a meeting point for many of his mistress and that the residents have made seriesS of complaints without any action taken by the family. Some residents of the Estate said they would send a petition to the military authorities on the misconduct of the soldiers.