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…commends officer for uncommon restraint on viral video
By: Okosun Dennis
The Inspector General of Police Abrahim Adamu has revealed that a total of 27 police officers have so have been assaulted by members of the public while enforcing Covid-19 lockdown.
He explained many of them are still in hospitals receiving treatment from the injuries sustained during such attacks.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba said in Abuja that the Inspector General of Police has commended the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) II, Eruwa Police Division, ASP Adeyemo Ogunyemi, who was slapped several times by a woman identified as Kehinde Afolake.
While praising 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, IGP Adamu described the officer as “like a lamb being led to the slaughter, did not fight back but rather, maintained absolute calm, patience and decorum even as the woman rough handled him and slapped him severally.”
The officer was assaulted at Gbolagunte, Okeola area of Eruwa, Ibarapa, Oyo State on 1st May, 2020 while carrying out COVID-19 enforcement duties.
It was learnt that the Mrs Kehinde also assaulted two female police officers, Inspector Ojola Abiola and Inspector Queen Eguaoje and gave one of them human bite on Saturday, 2nd May, 2020 during an attempt to invite her to the Police Station for the earlier incident of serious assault on the DCO.
The statement added, “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.
“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. Pointing out that 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 Command to carry out a discreet investigation into the Ewura attack on the police officers and ensure that justice is done.
He enjoins the citizens to continue to cooperate with the police and other security personnel and voluntarily comply with all COVID-19 prevention orders noting that the Force shall continue to hold officers accountable and mete out commensurate punishments on any personnel who violate the rights of the citizens.
