Two dead as Traffic warden hijacks truck, causes accident

ALSO READ: Police kill driver, conductor over N500 bribe

The Durbar police station was besieged by angry residents who were bent on laying their hands on the traffic warden responsible for the unfortunate incident.

Fortunately, operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, averted the mob attack on the police station.

According to eyewitnesses, officers of the Area Traffic office were on duty opposite Arena Lounge on Thursday, October 6, when they flagged down a pick-up truck carrying firewood. Some passengers made sits on the firewood at the back of the truck.

The police officers reportedly demanded that the driver drop off all the passengers as he was endangering their lives by letting them sit on the firewood, and the driver immediately complied.

When asked for his car papers, the driver said he did not have any. The wardens then asked him to drive to the police station barely one kilometer away from the scene but he refused.

According to another eyewitness identified as Iyabo Makinde, the driver refused to give in to the demands of the wardens, which he perceived as an attempt to compel him into bribing them, annoyed one of the wardens identified as Mr Jeleel.

The driver is reported to have explained that he was on his way back from the farm and therefore had no money but Mr Jeleel immediately jumped into the truck in an attempt to forcefully drive it to the police station.

The warden reportedly lost control of the truck, ramming it into a pole, causing it to somersault, killing a passerby instantly and a second person, Jamiu, who was injured, was rushed to the hospital where he later died on Friday, October 7.

“But other officers who I stood with fled instead running to the aid of those involved in the accident,” Iyabo said.

ALSO READ: Police Officer Shoots Bus Driver Over N50 Bribe

A group, Oyo Global Forum, has condemned the incident and is calling for the prosecution of the culprit.

The group added that the police had to “stop corrupt, disgraceful practice of extorting citizens to avoid angry reactions from people who have had to contend with the current socio-economic situation”.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State police spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu, while confirming the incident Saturday, October 8, said Mr Jeleel and others on duty have been ordered to face orderly room trial.