Police arrest irate traffic offender who assaulted officer in viral video

The Lagos state police have arrested a man who was filmed assaulting a police officer after he was stopped for driving against traffic.

In a viral video, the driver and an accomplice were seen pushing the officer while attempting to shove him to the ground.

In a statement, Muyiwa Adejobi, Lagos police spokesman, said the officers displayed professionalism by not reacting.

Adejobi, who identified the offender as Victor Ebhomenyen (33), said “severe bodily injuries” were inflicted on Erhator Sunday, one of the officers involved.

He said the confrontation happened on Sunday at Four Points Hotel, Oniru, Lagos.

He added that Ebhomenyen has been detained at the state criminal investigation department (SCID), Panti.

“The Command has deemed it necessary and responsible 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, 17th April, 2021,” Adejobi said in the statement.

“At about 10:30 am, one ASP Erhator Sunday, m, and team attached to the Rapid Response Squad 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 Ak 47 riffle, displayed a high level of professionalism amidst fierce provocations by resisting the temptation of using his rifle on the suspect.”

Adejobi noted that efforts are being made to arrest the accomplice identified as Etinosa.

He said the vehicle has been impounded and taken to the Lagos state task force office, Oshodi, for an appropriate penalty.