Tension as policeman brutalises okada rider

Anze, the brutalized okada rider

Tension pervaded Market Street in the Somolu area of Lagos State on Tuesday after a yet-to-be-identified policeman brutalised a 35-year-old okada (motorcycle) rider, Jamiu Anze.
Eyewitnesses said the father of two was squeezed in the neck, hit with a gun and beaten to a pulp for refusing to release his okada to the police. He was heard telling the policemen that he had parted with a huge sum to get it released three days earlier.

He was said to be foaming in the mouth before the policeman released him and fled the area. Anze was later taken to the Somolu General Hospital.

When PUNCH Metro visited the hospital, the victim was said to be in a critical condition by the doctors.

Our correspondent observed that the victim had swollen head and bruised lips. His eyes were bloodshot and he did not respond to questions. He was also still receiving drip.

The uncertainty about the state of his health had increased anxiety among residents that there could be reprisal by youths in the area.

Many of the shops and stalls in the area were shut as policemen from Area H Command, Ogudu-Ojota Division, Bariga Division, Pedro Division and Alade Division patrolled the streets to keep angry youths at bay.

The streets were also deserted, while movements were cautious.

PUNCH Metro learnt that some minutes after Anze was attacked, some of his friends and some other okadariders laid siege to the Alade Police Station allegedly to set it ablaze if the policeman responsible for the attack was not released to them.

It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station called for reinforcement before they were overwhelmed by the youths.

An eye witness, who pleaded anonymity, said the offending policeman had fled the scene thinking that Anze would die.

He said, “The incident happened around 12 noon. Anze was riding on the road with a friend at the back seat.

“They were stopped and the bike was about to be seized, but Anze resisted. He said he had just recovered the motorcycle three days ago after paying a huge sum. As he was struggling with the policeman, the cop became angry.

“He subsequently beat him up and hit him with his gun. Then he squeezed his neck, which made him fall down and began to foam in the mouth.”

A printer in the area, Imex Udoh, said the policeman allegedly fired shots into the air to scare people from apprehending him.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, however, said the issue was more of cult activities.

He said, “The truth is that about four days ago, a cult leader in Somolu was arrested along with his second in command by the Alade Police Station. These men have been declared wanted for a long time.

“The patrol vehicles from Ogudu, Pedro, Bariga and its environs are just there to ensure there will be no breakdown of law and order. But these men were attacked as they were on their lawful duty.”