CULTURE OF IMPUNITY: TOUTS ATTACKS JOURNALIST, POLICE DEMAND BRIBE FOR ARREST
By Kayode Adeyemo // A reporter from Security Monitor News was brutally assaulted by a group of touts and some meat sellers at Odo Eran Bus Stop in Lagos, leaving him with a fractured left hand and a missing phone.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred when a Hausa bike rider got into a fight with one of the touts.
The reporter attempted to intervene, advising the touts to separate the combatants instead of resorting to violence.
However, the touts turned on him, beating him with planks and other weapons.
The reporter recounted his ordeal, stating, i tried to intervene, but they pounced on me, hitting me with planks and other weapons.
They pursued me into another street, where I fell and fractured my left hand. My Nokia phone also went missing during the chaos.
Sellers and passersby at the scene expressed their concerns about the frequent violence and robberies perpetrated by the touts and meat sellers in the area.
This is not the first time they’ve caused trouble here, said one vendor.
At night, they rob people and cause chaos. We need the government to intervene and restore peace to this area.
Under the watch of the Dpo Ikotun Divisional Police Station, the reporter reported the incident at the Ikotun Police Station, but faced challenges in getting an officer to take up the case.
It took an officer from the control room to intervene and ensure that an arrest was made, he said.
The Lagos State Government has been called upon to take swift action to address the violence and lawlessness in the area.
Recall that two weeks ago, one of the street guy known as thugs aslo stabbed a lady to death at governor road 2nd Junction bus stop area of Ikotun while trying to snatch her iPhone 12.
The government must ensure that citizens can go about their daily activities without fear of attack or intimidation.
After reporting the incident at the Ikotun Police Station, the officer from the control room, who was assigned to take charge of the case, demanded a substantial amount of money to transport the perpetrators and grease their pockets to ensure the arrest.
The reporter was told to return on Tuesday with the money, implying that the arrest would not be made otherwise.
This blatant demand for bribery is alarming and highlights the need for urgent intervention.
The reporter is calling on the Inspector General of Police IGP, the Force Public Relations Officer FPRO Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos State Police PRO SP Hudeyin, and the Lagos State Task Force to take immediate action and ensure justice is served.
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