Four policemen on night duty have been arrested in Lagos after
one of them shot at a couple in a tricycle for refusing to give bribe.
The operator of the tricycle, Godwin Ekpo, was said to be returning from
church on Wednesday, September 16 with his wife, Idongesit Ekpo and
their four children when they were flagged down by the policemen
apparently to extort money from them.
According to Vanguard, Ekpo refused to give the policemen any money,
arguing that he was driving his wife and children. It was reported that
as soon as he drove off, a corporal fired at the vehicle shattering the
skull of Idongesit and injuring Ekpo’s jaw.
The four policemen, who were from the Isheri-Oshun division were said
to have fled when they realised the extent of what they had done. The
wife died on the spot while the husband is still in critical condition
at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital where doctors are trying to
save his life.
Mr Fatai Owoseni, the Lagos state commissioner of police was angry
when he got the report and ordered the arrest of the policemen who were
Sergeant Benson Ahambo, Corporal Augustine Telenundu, Corporal Onu
Samuel and Corporal Musefun Aremu.
Mr Johnson Kokumo, the deputy commissioner of police in charge of
operation who has been with the victim in the hospital said everything
was being done to take care for the victim and his children.
‘’We will do everything within our capacity to ensure that the children and their father are well taken care of at the moment.
“In furtherance of the Inspector General of Police’s stance that
the Nigeria Police will not encourage or tolerate any act of barbarism,
lawlessness, misuse of fire arms, the corporal that is involved has
immediately been taken into custody this morning( yesterday) with
necessary disciplinary measures completed.
‘’He has been charged for murder and will be taken to court
tomorrow (today). The DPO has also been issued a query for disobeying
the IGP’s instruction that policemen should go about their duty in
properly labelled vehicles and be properly dressed.
‘’We have also extended disciplinary measures on the team leader and other policemen with the corporal.”
It was reported that tricycle operators reacted to the tragedy by
staging a protest on Thursday, September 17, where they complained that
the extortion had been going on for a long time. They said they were
forced to pay N250 daily.
One of the operators, Mukaila said
: “Policemen from Isheri-Oshun
Division are making life unbearable for us. We pay N100 in the morning,
N50 in the afternoon and N100 at night.
‘’If we fail to give them the money, they will seize your keke
and dare us to go and call the CP. That is what they do to Okada riders
too.
‘’If you challenge them, they will seize your keke and threaten
to shoot you. At times, they will even shoot to put fear into us. It is
unfortunate that our colleague’s wife was killed in a reckless manner.”
The police boss reportedly addressed the protesters and assured them that justice will be duly served on the erring officers.
Dwayne Johnson loses puppy to food poisoning
Chairman
of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State, Chief Tiwei
Orunimighe, has said the state chapter of the party is in support of the
victory of former governor and leader of the party, Chief Timipre
Sylva, at the governorship primary.
