Nigeria Twitter (Twitter NG) on Monday became abuzz after Arise TV broadcaster, Oseni Rufai, called out the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over alleged manhandling.
In his tweet dated August 1, 2022, Rufai, said; “A Nigerian police officer pointed a gun at me and forcefully took my keys and drove my car off because he wanted to enforce a traffic infraction.
“I think the police needs training and retraining.”
Replying, Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin quoted the tweet; “Rufai, let’s not do this. You admitted to me that you passed a BRT lane. It’s against the law. Your claim that google maps took you there is not tenable. You disobeyed and resisted the officers. We’ll sanction the officer who misused firearm if proven…”
Responding, Oseni Rufai said; “I offered to pay for the traffic infraction but the police was hell bent of forcefully collecting my keys and pointing a gun at me. I saw three other cars drive by the BRT lane and they were not stopped. I am at sea! Why point a gun at me and forcefully collect my key. I am shocked.
“I am terribly hurt. Enforcement can be done via Remita or other platforms. It could be tidier. We need to use technology to help the police.
“Passed and nothing was done about them. I will never deliberately break the law. I just want to point that out.
“I am not a lawbreaker. I saw cars pass through the Supposed BRT lane and they were not stopped all of a sudden I was stopped and told I used the bus lane. If I didn’t see other cars I will not go through, plus I want conversant if the road. In fact, after I was stopped three cars also.”
Hundeyin replied; “I won’t play this game. And I won’t say everything I know.”
Laying the matter to rest, Rufai said; “I have just spoken to the police now and we have resolved the matter”.
In a follow-up, he said; “I stated my side of the case to the police and we resolved amicably.I must state citizens must be treated better and the police must approach things better. We citizens have rights and that’s all I demanded.
“I stated my side of the case to the police and we resolved amicably. I must state citizens must be treated better and the police must approach things better. We citizens have rights and that’s all I demanded @BenHundeyin. It is settled now.
“I didn’t offer to bribe a police officer. That’s fake news.”
UPDATE:
In a tweet late Tuesday, Hundeyin said; “Mr Rufai Oseni was in court earlier today. He was found guilty of contravening Lagos State Transport Law (2018). He was subsequently fined Seventy Thousand Naira Only. He made the payment, after which his vehicle was released to him.”
