Published 20th Mar, 2022

By Emmanuel Uti

A Twitter user identified as Rodney has detailed how a police officer attached to Festac Police Station shot one of his toes in Mile 2, Lagos.

Rodney said he was in a cab with his father in Mile 2 on Saturday when some police officers stopped them and tried to force him into their vehicle.

He said one of the police officers pulled his shirt and asked him where he was heading, but he ignored him. He said his father then intervened, saying he was his son, but the officer got angry and insulted him.

“He asked my dad, ‘Who are you?’ and ‘What do you do for a living?’ He asked my father to show him an identity card,” he said.

Rodney said he asked the officer if he suspected his father, but the officer told him they were not going anywhere.

I was with my dad going for an inspection at mile 2, stopped us, insulted my dad and tried pushing me into the bus by force, the man shot my leg before people intervened… FOR NO REASON!!!! ISN’T THAT KIDNAP???!
— ^GHOST 💀 (@Senseii_rodz) March 19, 2022

“My father asked the officer what he meant by we were not going anywhere. He then started calling his colleagues. I was wondering what was happening. Next thing, the officer asked me to open my bag. I asked why. He stated that I was a suspect,” he said.

Rodney said his father got upset and asked why the officer demanded to search his son. But the officer got angry and shouted at Rodney’s father. Rodney said he became livid and returned the gesture.

He said a policewoman rushed to where he was to tell him he was rude and then slap him. She also grabbed him by the waist and tried to force him into their vehicle.

“I would not enter any bus. The others arrived and began pushing me inside the bus. My leg was still at the door of the vehicle when they teargassed me. The next thing I heard was a gunshot. They shot my leg,” he said.

“Everyone was crying, even the bastard (the police officer). I started shouting and asking the whole of Mile 2 to see what had happened.”

Rodney said other police officers ran away after the incident.

When FIJ contacted Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos State Police spokesperson, he said an investigation into the issue was ongoing.

“I have made contact with the DPO in Festac to know what transpired. An unbiased investigation is taking place. If the policemen are guilty of excessive use of force, they will face appropriate disciplinary measures. The outcome of the investigation will determine the next step,” he said.

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