Police in Lagos have arrested a man named Victor Ebhomenyen for driving against traffic, assaulting and causing bodily injuries on a policeman.
Mr Ebhomenyen, 33, was arrested at Four Points Hotel, Oniru, Victoria Island, according to a statement on Sunday by Lagos police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The incident between Ebhomenyen and an assistant superintendent of police Erhator Sunday attached to the Command’s Rapid Response Squad was captured in a video that went viral on social media on Saturday.
Ebhomenyen is seen with another man in the video assaulting the policeman.
Explaining what played out, Mr Adejobi said in the statement, “To set the record straight, on 17/4/21, at about 1030am, 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 Obayuwana, 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 said the prime suspect is in the police custody at the state criminal investigation department, Panti, awaiting prosecution while effort is on to arrest his fleeing accomplice, Etinosa.
The vehicle, he added, has been impounded and taken to the Lagos State Task Force Office, Oshodi.
A Twitter user Adeleke Opeyemi posted a video of the incident on Twitter, commending the policemen for handling the situation calmly.
“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 due enforcement of law and order without any infringement on the suspect’s or any person’s human rights during the saga,” Adejobi said.
The police boss also warned against such attacks, assuring that the erring individuals would be dealt with legally.
