Anger As Policemen, Neighbourhood Watch Torture Uber Driver, Tow Vehicle

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Lagos, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, October 22nd, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Outrage has trailed the torture of an Uber driver, Adedotun Clement, by security agents, who fired tear gas canisters to disperse protesters marking the one year anniversary of the #EndSARS campaign in the Lekki Tollgate area of Lagos State.

African Examiner had reported that some protesters and journalists suffered varied forms of attacks from security agents during a clampdown on residents at the tollgate on Wednesday.

During the attacks, some protesters and journalists filmed some of the tense moments of assaults.

Several video clips showed security agents, including men of the Rapid Response Squad, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (task force), the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps, among others, brutalising journalists and protesters.

One of the videos, which went viral, showed the security agents, particularly policemen and officers of the LNSC, subjecting Clement to dehumanising torture, as he struggled against being locked up in a Black Maria.

Despite his pleas for mercy to validate his claim of being an Uber driver, one of the cops slapped him, as the LNSC official pepper-sprayed his eyes.

Our correspondent observed as the security agents, including officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, towed away impounded vehicles from the protest ground.

Clement, who lamented the seizure of his car, stated on Thursday that he was conveying a passenger from Ajah to a destination in Ikeja when he drove into the security agents who were dispersing protesters.

Describing the vehicle as his source of livelihood, Clement said he and his passenger abandoned the car and scampered for safety to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

He said, “I drive a green Toyota Corolla with the number plate, AGL 796 GW. I was conveying a passenger from Ajah to Ikeja when I suddenly observed people running helter-skelter, as the police were shooting.

“The guy said I should wait, so I had to pull over and park by the roadside. Immediately the guy jumped down, I also jumped down, locked my car and ran to the riverside.

“After there was calm and I observed commercial vehicles operating, I returned to pick up my vehicle, but I didn’t see it.

“I saw LASTMA and LNSC officials jacking a motor up. I asked them for my car and they told me to go to the front to ask.

“As I was going, a neighbourhood watch officer followed me to the Black Maria and they started saying I should enter.

“I want justice; when I watched the video (of my attack) inside my house, I cried because I am not a hoodlum.”

Nigerians, including celebrities, condemned the manner the security agents assaulted the driver.