Police arrest man for driving against traffic, assaulting cop

The Lagos State Police Command, at the weekend, arrested one Victor Ebhomenyen, 33, for allegedly driving against the traffic, assaulting and causing severe bodily injuries on an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Erhator Sunday, at Four Point By Sheraton Hotel, Oniru, Lagos State.

Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, noted that the command had deemed it necessary to react and set the record straight on the incident that was captured in a video that went viral on the social media on Saturday, April 17, where two men were repeatedly assaulting an officer on duty and creating a scene on the road at Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

“To set the record straight, on April 17, 2021, at around 10.30 am, one ASP Erhator Sunday and team attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the command, who were on a convoy movement to drop off policemen at their various beats across the state, blocked and stopped a white Hyundai SUV, MUS 251 EH facing the convoy on “one way,” driven by the suspect, Victor, at Four Point Hotel, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

“When the police stopped the vehicle, the occupants, one Victor Ebhomenye and Etinosa Obaywana, angrily came down, confronted and violently assaulted ASP Erhator Sunday, inflicting severe bodily injuries on him. The officer, who was armed with his official Ak47 riffle, displayed a high level of professionalism amidst fierce provocations by resisting the temptation of using his rifle on the suspect.

“The prime suspect, Victor, is in the police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for investigation and prosecution as and when due, while effort is on to arrest his fleeing accomplice, Etinosa, who has been identified,” Adejobi said.

According to the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, the vehicle has been impounded and taken to the Lagos State Taskforce Office, Oshodi, for an appropriate penalty.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has commended the police personnel for their act of maturity, self-control, perseverance, and professionalism in managing the “drama” created by the suspect; and tactical enforcement of law and order without any infringement on the suspect’s or any person’s human rights during the saga.

Odumosu, therefore, advised police personnel in the command to emulate the act of professionalism, maturity and perseverance displayed by the assaulted officer and his colleagues despite series of provocations exhibited by the suspects and his fleeing accomplice at the scene.

The police boss, however, warned against any violence or attack on the police and other security operatives in the state as such, would be professionally resisted and erring individuals would be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.