Rukayat Salami, a Lagos-based fashion designer, has been shot in the belly by a bribe-seeking police officer in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

On Sunday, Rukayat and her husband, Ibrahim, were returning from a visit to an in-law when they saw police officers extorting motorists around the Adamo area of Ikorodu.

The refusal of a motorcyclist to offer a bribe to the policemen at the checkpoint led to an argument that would later turn bloody, according to Punch. The extortionate officers opened fire on the motorcycle rider for failing to offer them a N100 bribe at the Lucky Fibre checkpoint.

The bullet fired by one of the officers ripped the stomach of the 34-year-old woman, and she shouted in pain.

“I started shouting and alerted my husband. Immediately, he placed his hand around my stomach and observed that I was bleeding,” bedridden Rukayat was quoted to have said. “He parked the vehicle, went to start arguing with the policemen. By the time he returned, he was bleeding on the head.”

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Her husband quickly rushed her to the Ikorodu General Hospital for treatment. She would later be transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for surgery.

“They said blood was in her chest; they told us to buy some medicine and other things they needed,” the husband narrated. “After we got them, she underwent surgery. They removed a bullet from her body, but the second bullet was not removed as the doctors said it would be suppressed with antibiotics.”

He noted that he had reported the case at the Sagamu Road Police Station and was told an investigation would be conducted.

“I want those policemen to be prosecuted,” he said.

When contacted, Adekunle Ajisebutu, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, told FIJ to send him a text. He had not responded to the message at press time.