Funke Busari, Lagos
Over the weekend, a trending video went viral showing a young man reportedly fighting an officer of the Rapid Respond Squad, RRS.
The news this time is that the Police in Lagos is ready to press charges against him.
A statement signed by the Police Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi said the man allegedly drove against vehicular traffic, assaulting and causing severe bodily injuries to a police officer attached to the RRS.
The Police said the 33 years old Victor Ebhomenyen assaulted Assistant Supritendent of Police Erhator Sunday, on Saturday 17th April, 2021at Four Point Hotel, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
According to Police statement issued on Sunday, “On 17/4/21, at about 1030am, one ASP Erhator Sunday, m, 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.
Stating further the Police Public Relations Officer added, “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 rifle, 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.”
The Police Command explained that it became necessary and responsible to react and set the record straight on the incident that was captured in a video and that went viral on the social media on Saturday, 17th April, 2021, where two men were repeatedly assaulting an officer on duty and creating a scene on the road at Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
Further information has it that the vehicle has been impounded and taken to the Lagos State Taskforce Office, Oshodi, for appropriate penalty in tandem with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, in his reaction to the development, commended the RRS officers for their act of maturity, self control, perseverance and professionalism in managing the “drama” created by the suspect; and tactical due enforcement of law and order without any infringement on the suspect’s or any person’s human rights during the saga.
The Police boss also 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 suspect and his fleeing accomplice at the scene.
He warned against any violence or attack on the police and other security operatives in the state as such will be professionally resisted and erring individuals will be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.
