Metro

Neighbours of driver pushed to death by cop desert homes over police harassment

Published

8 years ago

May 25, 2016

Neighbours of driver pushed to death by cop desert homes over police harassment

The neighbours of a commercial bus driver identified as Muyiwa Ijaduola who was allegedly pushed to his death by a policewoman identified as corporal Taiwo have deserted their apartments over harassment by policemen.

A visit to compound of the deceased, located at Alhaji Noah Street, Egan, Igando, reveals that most of Muyiwa’s neighbours have deserted their homes after men of the Igando Police Division arrested and allegedly beat up the younger brothers of the late commercial bus driver – Ayodeji, Tolulope for about four hours.

One of the neighbours of the deceased who pleaded anonymity recounted the incident.

“It is only Muyiwa who stayed here. His wife and three children live in Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State. He usually visited them once in a while. Since Monday, the co-tenants fled the house. Even Muyiwa family members have fled for now.

“They said policemen from Igando were coming to raid the house and harass people in order to sweep the matter under the carpet. After they arrested the deceased’s brothers on Monday, everyone fled.”

Meanwhile, a claim by the police that Muyiwa died of an epileptic attack was also refuted and described as false by the deceased elder brother Ayodele.

“The epilepsy claim by the police is not true.

“Muyiwa did not have any epilepsy. We do not have epilepsy in our family. The police are free to go to our family house in Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, to verify that. We are ready to have the autopsy conducted to know the truth. He did not die because of any epilepsy. Up till now, we have not seen his corpse.”

Reports say the crime was committed when the 46-year-old driver who plies the Lagos State University-Iyana Iba Road was stopped by corporal Taiwo who demanded the usual N500 be given to her but Muyiwa said he only had N300.

Sources say Muyiwa’s submission infuriate corporal Taiwo who allegedly pushed the father of three into a gutter as he reportedly hit his head on the edge of the sewage and died immediately on the spot.

On realising the full weight of her action, Corporal Taiwo and an unidentified colleague of hers reportedly fled the scene in order not to incur the wrath of onlookers and an already gathering crowd.

DSP Damasus Ozoani, the Lagos State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident noted that a post-mortem would reveal the actual cause of Muyiwa’s death.

“It was said that he died from a suspected epileptic attack. The police are not medical personnel. It is the post-mortem examination that will reveal the cause of death and that is what the police are waiting for.

“The corpse will be released to the family members as soon as the examination is done. We are hastening up the process and I assure you that anyone found culpable will be dealt with. Investigation is ongoing into the matter.” He said.

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