CITIZENS COMPASS– A commercial driver in Lagos State, Saheed Alimo, is currently nursing. the injuries he sustained when he was violently assaulted by two Area Boys popularly known as Agberos over N100 ticket.
The incident occurred at Sabo, Ikorodu when the victim was on a trip from Ogijo, Ogun State to Ikorodu.
Although steps are being taken to amicably settle the incident but Saheed has spent Thousands of Naira on medical treatment as he wreathed in pains when he was visited by Citizens Compass.
According to him, he was a Danfo driver who earlier sustained hand injuries in the course of the job hence he was asked to abstain from driving until he fully recovers from the injuries though this had adversely affected his daily income.
However, one of his colleagues, 40 years old Moroof Dauda decided to come to his aid by asking him to join his own bus as a conductor pending his full recovery.
Things went smoothly for a while as both carry out their daily routine at Ogijo enroute Ikorodu Garage and then to Ketu/Mile 12 to Ojuelegba.
This routine was disrupted recently when the Area Boys descended on him molesting and assaulting him because of N100.
The Area Boys claimed they were acting on the instruction of Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee led by Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, popularlly known as Musiliu Oluomo.
Saheed was undergoing medical treatment as at the time our Correspondent visited his axis but his colleague, Moroof narrated their experience about the assault which occurred on Monday, January 16, 2023.
“The incident occurred on Monday, January 16, 2023 at day time on our way to Ikorodu Garage from Ogijo.
“I was the one driving while Saheed was the conductor owing to his hand injuries. On getting to Sabo, we were stopped by one of the Area Boys who were by the roadside demanded for N100 but while Saheed was trying to explain that, it was our first trip for the day, he turned deaf ears and started flogging him.
“Before we could say jack, he pulled Saheed out of the vehicle as his colleagues also joined to drag and marshed him on the ground beating Black and Blue not minding the intervention of sympathisers.
“Their action succeeded in adding more injuries to the existing ones on the victim.
Thankfully, one of the leaders of the drivers’ association in Ikorodu who witnessed the assault on his member was able to record the incident for record purposes but this angered the Area Boys the more.
“Having satisfied themselves, they pushed him to the road where he was rescued by sympathisers.as blood gushed out of him.
“We managed to incident the matter at the Sagamu Road Police Station but the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) on noticing the gravity of the injuries advised Saheed to first of all go for medical attention before further steps are taken.
“The suspects and their zonal chairman were invited by the police which told them the gravity of the offence they committed.
“To cut a long story short, they want us to settle outside court as they promised to pick the medical bills.” He said.
At press time, Saheed was yet to resume his normal activities.
Citizens Compass contacted the Parks and Garages Zonal Manager, Prince Sherif Azees who vehemently condemned the act saying the principal suspect has been suspended from the union while steps have been taken to amicably settle the matter.
“We earn our living from drivers, how come they will be molested or assaulted. This is not how the job is done.
“The driver was seriously injured, that is why we have picked his medical expenses and hope to do more. We have a constitution guiding us just like every profession.
“We have suspended the suspect and he may not return to this union because of the gravity of his offence.
“Thank God for the intervention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on this matter.”
