CITIZENS VOMPASS– FOLLOWING an industrial action by commercial drivers under the aegis of Joint Drivers’ Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN), Lagos state Chapter, a commercial driver, Ashimiyu Idowu, has narrated how he was tortured, physically abused and abducted by some suspected garage touts in the cause of observing the strike action.
The industrial action was against alleged extortion and embarrassment by Lagos State Parks and Management Committee led by Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo.
The driver said he was allegedly abducted in front of his house, in Iworo, Badagry area of Lagos State on Monday morning but regained his freedom after hours of torture.
Ashimiyu said his only vehicle was vandalized by the suspected touts who stormed his area on motor bikes and beat him up before his abduction.
The victim was said to have lost his wife about a month ago and was undergoing medical treatment as a result of fatigue but this ended in duress owing to the unusual visit of the garage touts.
Speaking with our correspondent, he said he was whisked away in a vehicle belonging to a traditional ruler.
“I was in my house when a popular Agbero led some hoodlums to beat me up.
“They were about 100 in number and three of them on different motorcycles, armed with guns and dangerous weapons, beat me up and injured me.
“Many people in the vicinity were also attacked and injured before they finally whisked me away in the vehicle of a traditional ruler.
“They drove me round the town, to Roundabout and Seme as they subjected me to torture.
“They disposed me of my phone and dropped me off at Locust bus-stop.
“As I was thinking about the next line of action, they picked me up again and dropped me off at Aradagun where a motorcyclist returned me to my house.
“My clothes were soaked in blood and I suffered body pains and general weakness of the body.” He said..
Lagos State Government has directed the striking drivers to return to work pending when it will resolve the matter.
Earlier, the drivers had lamented alleged physical attacks by the garage touts on Monday..
