NURTW, RTEAN Members Batter Police Officer

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi  Edgal’s good intention to use the members of  National Union of Road Transport Workers (MOALS) and Road Transport Employers Association, RTEAN, (NNAMORA) to curb the activities of motorcycle operators started on a sour note.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the members of the union started enforcing their powers even before they were commissioned on a police officer going back home after work. They apprehended a police officer identified as Sunday Ehitoya with his motorcycle, tortured,  battered and subjected him to all manner of inhuman treatments.

The incident happened at Ile-Zik close to Dopemu in Agege area where the Commissioner of Police was to address the group on the new policy on motorcycle operators in the state.

P.M.EXPRESS reporter who was present tried to find out the offence the victim committed, and they said that he did not wear helmet and their vest uniform as ‘okada rider’.
The victim was assaulted the more when he introduced himself as a police officer attached to Zone D Command, Mushin.

Apart from battering him, he was forced to sit on the floor and they made jest of him in the presence of their members and some police officers before the CP came to kick start the event.

However, the officer, Sunday Ehitoya was later released and his motorcycle which they had confiscated returned, but before then he was already battered. This was after some journalists present protested against such wicked treatment on the officer and threatened to expose their activities.

While Sunday Ehitoya was going home he was seen crying and lamented that he could not hear properly because of the slaps and the beatings he had received. He was consoled by the journalists who advised him to go to the hospital.

Some of those around aside the members of the group condemned the action of the union members and wondered will happen in future after they have been commissioned.

Meanwhile, when the CP later came he explained the essence of coming to the place to use the police partnership with communities to curb the menace of motorcycle operators in the state. He directed the two unions that their members must comply with the directives of the state traffic laws and desist from operating in the areas outlawed.

CP also warned that their members must wear vests and jackets before operating in the designated areas and ordered that the enforcement of punitive measures on offenders will start on Tuesday next week.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that some of the union members expressed satisfaction over the directives and assured that they will comply fully with the new policy.