Policeman sends 22-yr-old tricycle rider to early grave over N100 bribe

A 22-year-old tricycle rider identified as Samuel Agu met his early death after he was chased by a policemen to the path of speeding bus which crushed him to death.

It was alleged that the man was trying to evade arrest from the police officer over N100 bribe.

Reports say the policeman identified simply as Sergeant Magaji who is attached to the Bridge Head Police Division, Onitsha, Anambra State, had allegedly ordered the victim to part with N100 bribe, but he refused and a chase ensued thereafter leading to the demise of the tricycle rider.

However, the police claimed that the victim was crushed to death while trying to evade arrest after he was sighted smoking Indian hemp by the policeman.

The comments by the police was denied by the victim’s elder brother, Ikechukwu, who said the policeman shot at his brother.

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He said; “My brother operated within Bridge Head Wood Market. I learnt that on that day around 3:00pm, the sergeant and his colleagues stopped him and demanded N100 from him, but he refused to give them the money.

“As he made to leave the spot, Sergeant Magaji chased and shot at him. He was knocked down by an oncoming bus while he was running to avoid being hit by bullets.

“Other riders pursued Magaji. He ran inside the station and his colleagues shielded him. My brother was rushed to a hospital where he died.”

According to the DPO, SP Godson Ubani, allegations that the policeman chased to victim to death over N100 bribe are unfounded.

Ubani said the victim made a move to evade the arrest of the policeman after he was sighted smoking Indian hemp.

He said, “That story is unfounded. Uzor was the one concocting all those lies. The man (Agu) was seen near the park close to the police station smoking India hemp. On sighting policemen, he ran across the expressway without minding the bus, which crushed him. He was taken to the hospital, where he died. The driver is in our custody and the bus has been impounded. His name is Ozomara Kenneth.

“The two families have settled the matter but because of the outcry it generated, the matter will be charged to court.

“Sergeant Magaji and other policemen were coming out when the teenager saw them and started running. There was nothing like firing. The police picked the butt of the drug. The deceased was a tout, who helped in loading vehicle. He was not a tricycle rider. He was working for a hoodlum at the park.”

 

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