Police Killed Wife As Couple Refused To Bribe

The operator of the tricycle, Godwin Ekpo, was returning from church on Wednesday, September 16 2015 with his wife, Idongesit Ekpo and their four children when they were flagged down by the policemen apparently to extort money from them.

The four policemen on night duty have been arrested in Lagos after one of them shot at a couple in a tricycle for refusing to give bribe.

Ekpo refused to give the policemen any money, arguing that he was driving his wife and children. It was reported that as soon as he drove off, a corporal fired at the vehicle shattering the skull of Idongesit and injuring Ekpo’s jaw.

The four policemen, who were from the Isheri-Oshun division were said to have fled when they realised the extent of what they had done. The wife died on the spot while the husband is still in critical condition at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital where doctors are trying to save his life.

Mr Fatai Owoseni, the Lagos state commissioner of police was angry when he got the report and ordered the arrest of the policemen who were Sergeant Benson Ahambo, Corporal Augustine Telenundu, Corporal Onu Samuel and Corporal Musefun Aremu.

Mr Johnson Kokumo, the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operation who has been with the victim in the hospital said everything was being done to take care for the victim and his children.

‘’We will do everything within our capacity to ensure that the children and their father are well taken care of at the moment.

“In furtherance of the Inspector General of Police’s stance that the Nigeria Police will not encourage or tolerate any act of barbarism, lawlessness, misuse of fire arms, the corporal that is involved has immediately been taken into custody this morning( yesterday) with necessary disciplinary measures completed.

‘’He has been charged for murder and will be taken to court tomorrow (today). The DPO has also been issued a query for disobeying the IGP’s instruction that policemen should go about their duty in properly labelled vehicles and be properly dressed.

‘’We have also extended disciplinary measures on the team leader and other policemen with the corporal.”

It was reported that tricycle operators reacted to the tragedy by staging a protest on Thursday, September 17, where they complained that the extortion had been going on for a long time. They said they were forced to pay N250 daily.

One of the operators, Mukaila said: “Policemen from Isheri-Oshun Division are making life unbearable for us. We pay N100 in the morning, N50 in the afternoon and N100 at night.

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‘’If we fail to give them the money, they will seize your keke and dare us to go and call the CP. That is what they do to Okada riders too.

‘’If you challenge them, they will seize your keke and threaten to shoot you. At times, they will even shoot to put fear into us. It is unfortunate that our colleague’s wife was killed in a reckless manner.”

The police boss reportedly addressed the protesters and assured them that justice will be duly served on the erring officers.