A Lagos police officer faces strong public condemnation. A widely shared video shows him assaulting a commercial bus conductor. This incident ignited outrage among commuters and online users.
A female commuter filmed the incident. It depicts an agitated officer restraining the bus conductor. Passengers urgently pleaded for him to stop.
Onlookers in the video yelled, “Release him! Are you trying to harm him?” They added, “He cannot escape!” A concerned woman noted the conductor struggled to breathe. She asked for water, fearing his collapse.
Another passenger warned the officer directly. “Should he collapse, the outcome will be severe,” they stated. An elder nearby also begged him. “Can you revive him if he dies?” was the question.
The conductor gasped for air. He repeatedly cried, “Help me! I don’t know my offense.”
Officer Alleges Prior Assault by Conductor
The officer denied wrongdoing. He responded to the public accusations.
He asserted the conductor assaulted him first. This occurred after a LASTMA official intervened for a traffic infraction.
“As an officer, I pleaded with the LASTMA official,” he recounted. “I asked them to release the conductor.”
“I instructed the conductor to secure his door,” he continued. “Suddenly, he began assaulting me. The driver even warned him against hitting an officer.”
He initially accused the videographer of bias. However, he conceded her right to record.
“She has every right to film,” he stated. “I would seize her phone if I was at fault. But I acted correctly.”
Community Response to Police Misconduct
This incident sparks renewed public concern. It highlights ongoing reports of police harassment. Excessive force in Lagos is a persistent issue.
Citizens frequently demand action from the state police command. They seek accountability for officer intimidation. Abuse of power allegations require review.
The video footage of this incident is widely available.
