Thug arrested by police for beating up commercial driver after hiring her service
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Police have arrested a certain Friday Onu, a suspected thug, after a viral video showed him assaulting a female commercial car driver along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.
The video showed Yetunde Amole battered, with bruises on her face and her clothes torn, while calling on human rights organisations, transport unions and well-meaning individuals to fight for her.
The attack occurred on Monday near the Oriental Hotel and it sparked outrage on social media.
Lagos Police Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin issued a statement on Wednesday which disclosed that Onu was apprehended by officers from the Maroko Police Division after the incident.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was caught attempting to steal Ms Amole’s car battery,” the statement said.
“When she confronted him, he responded with a violent attack, which was captured on video and widely circulated.”
Hundeyin added that Onu fell ill while in detention and was moved to the Falomo Police Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment under police supervision.
He assured the public that Onu would be arraigned as soon as he is medically fit.
“We commend the courage of Ms. Amole in standing up to her attacker.”
“The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice is served and to protecting all residents, especially those vulnerable to such brazen acts of violence.”
Amole, in the viral clip, pleaded for justice, calling on human rights organisations and transport unions to intervene.
“Everybody watching this video, please make it go viral,” she cried. “Is it because I’m a commercial driver? He beat me and stripped me. Look at my face, look at my clothes. I won’t let this go,” she vowed.
She said she had picked up the suspect as a passenger near the under-bridge by the Oriental Hotel after he claimed to be heading to the Nigerian Law School.
She grew suspicious after noticing him fiddling with her car battery through her rear-view mirror.
“I got down and confronted him. When I asked what he was doing, he denied everything. That’s when he started beating me.”
Amole, while filming outside the Maroko police station, continued to call on authorities, women’s rights groups, and commercial transport unions to intervene.
“I buy tickets, I pay my dues. Look at how I’ve been treated. If I don’t have anyone to fight for me, God will,” she said in the video.
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