A lady had cried to Agidigbo FM radio in Ibadan to complain an assault she received from a policeman in Ogun State.
Narrating her ordeal to the anchor of the radio programme, titled “Kokoro Alate”, Oriyomi Hamzat, the lady said her two younger siblings gained admission to Taiye Solarin University (TASUED) in Ijebu Ode in Ogun State.
According to her, their mother asked her to follow them to school in order to guarantee their safety. She narrated how they ran out of cash after bribing policemen on the highway.
She said when she got to the last patrol police officers, they had no money to give them which made the police delayed them. She narrated how she was brutalized after she attempted to call her immediate elder sister who is a policewoman but the policeman swooped on her and beat her mercilessly.
According to her, the Police alleged that she was trying to video him. After several pleas, the police demanded that they must pay N150,000 before they can release them.
The lady pleaded with the police officer to reduce the amount, stating that they didn’t have that much money on them. She said she explained that they had already spent all their cash on bribes for other policemen on the road. Despite her pleas, the officer refused to listen and continued to assault her.
Eventually, the lady managed to gather N100,000 from friends and family members, but the police officer still refused to release them, insisting on the full N150,000. The lady broke down in tears as she shared her traumatic experience with the radio anchor, seeking justice for the injustice she and her siblings had suffered.
The incident has sparked outrage among listeners and residents of Ogun State, as this is not the first report of police brutality and extortion in the area. Many people have taken to social media to express their anger and demand action from the authorities.
Police brutality and extortion are serious issues that continue to plague Nigeria, and it is crucial for the government and law enforcement agencies to address these concerns and hold officers accountable for their actions. The incident involving this lady serves as a reminder of the urgent need for police reform in the country.
Citizens should be able to trust and rely on the police to protect them, not to harm and extort them. It is disheartening to hear stories like this, as they erode public trust and confidence in the police force.
The lady’s cry for justice should not go unheard. The authorities must thoroughly investigate this incident and ensure that the police officer responsible faces appropriate disciplinary action. Additionally, measures should be put in place to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
It is time for a change in the Nigerian police force. The culture of violence, corruption, and impunity must be eradicated, and officers must be held accountable for their actions. Until then, incidents like this will continue to occur, further damaging the already fragile relationship between the police and the community they are meant to serve and protect.
