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Christopher Oji
The Inspector -General of Police, M.A Adamu, has commended the Divisional Crime Officer, Eruwa Police Division, Adeyemo Ogunyemi, for his uncommon restraint and professionalism in the face of unprovoked attack as shown in a viral video where a woman identified as Kehinde Afolake was seen assaulting him unchallenged and without retaliation.
The DCO was attacked while he was carrying out the COVID-19 enforcement duty at Gbolagunte, Okeola area of Eruwa, Ibarapa, Oyo State on May 1.
Also in Lagos, 2,310 lockdown violators were arrested while 2,092 vehicles, 1,535 motorcycles and 369 tricycles were impounded, and the police said they were fully ready for the next phase of the enforcement. In a statement by Force public relations officer, Frank Mba, he said:” The officer, like a lamb being led to the slaughter, did not fight back, but rather maintained absolute calm, patience and decorum even as the woman roughhandled him and slapped him severally.
“The said woman also assaulted two female police officers, Inspr. Ojola Abiola and Inspr. Queen Eguaoje, and gave one of them human bite on Saturday, May 2, during an attempt to invite her to the police station for the earlier incident of serious assault on the DCO. The Ewura incident is a classic example of unprovoked, unwarranted and unnecessary attacks faced by police officers in the course of performing their legitimate duties. The IGP, therefore, warns that this trend will no longer be tolerated by the Force.
“The IGP notes that since the commencement of the COVID-19 enforcement duties, a total of 27 police personnel have suffered series of attacks and assaults from members of the public at different times and different locations. Many of these officers, he reiterates, are still in hospitals receiving treatment from the injuries sustained during such attacks. These include a female police officer, PC Ngozi Nkem, in Agbor, Delta State, who was seriously assaulted, when a police team was dispersing a group of persons holding a birthday party in clear disobedience to the social restrictions and distancing orders.
“Apart from the attack on the person of police officers, some of these citizens have equally carried out attacks on police assets and facilities. For example, two police stations and police quarters were attacked and burnt down in Katsina and Abia states while 15 police vehicles/motorcycles were also damaged.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command to carry out discreet investigation into the Ewura attack on the police officer and ensure that justice is done. The IGP enjoins the citizens to continue to cooperate with the police and other security personnel and voluntarily comply with all COVID-19 prevention orders.
“He reiterates that the Force shall continue to hold officers accountable and mete out commensurate punishments on any personnel who violated the rights of the citizens. He, however, warns against any unprovoked attack and assault on police officers while in the course of their duties as perpetrators will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State police public relations officer said: “Following the measures put in place by Lagos State Government and Presidential directives on the cessation of movements in Lagos State (both intra and inter states movements) to curb the spread of coronavirus, the command massively deployed its resources across the state to enforce the lockdown order. Fourteen identified boundaries with neighbouring states were adequately manned. Tactical units were deployed to reinforce the conventional patrol teams.
