It was learnt that the policeman, whose name had yet to be ascertained, was attached to a Safer Highways Patrol unit.
It was gathered that as a result of the fuel scarcity, youths numbering over 50 had besieged the station with different jerrycans as early as 4am.
Our correspondent learnt that at about 9am, the Safer Highways Patrol policemen got to the station and had an altercation with the youths.
The youths reportedly pounced on one of the policemen, beat him up, and tore his uniform.
Our correspondent gathered that the policeman’s cap was taken away by one of the attackers.
When newsmen got to the scene around 10am, the youths were still making trouble with their jerrycans and motorcycles, causing traffic at the Berger end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Some Rapid Response Squad operatives and Federal Road Safety Corps officers were observed cautioning the youths, who also accused the policemen of provoking them.
One of them, who gave his name only as Olamide, said the policeman had allegedly tortured a youth before they attacked him.
He said, “I have been here since 6am to buy fuel. At some point, the attendants said they would not sell to people with jerrycans. We tried talking them out of that decision. Then, the policemen came to the scene, and started harassing people.
“One of the officers attacked a young man. So, some youths became angry and punched the policeman. The youths tore his uniform and one of the attackers escaped with the policeman’s cap.”
Our correspondent learnt that the embattled policemen thereafter called for reinforcement from the RRS, which mobilised to the scene and stopped the rampaging youths.
It was gathered that the injured policeman was taken away in a van to an undisclosed hospital.
Another witness, who declined to give her name, said, “The policemen are still looking for the thug who escaped with the officer’s cap. The policeman was hit in the nose, and he staggered and fell. He was dealt with because he and other officers wanted to harass people who were already provoked by the fuel situation.”
The RRS Commander, ACP Tunji Disu, who later came to the station, urged the youths to maintain calm.
“In a rowdy situation like this, you cannot rule out policemen shouting at people. But everyone has to be calm and take things easy,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said she had not been briefed on the incident.
“I do not have that report,” she said.
Police arrest manager for selling above pump price
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested the Manager of the Oando Filling Station near the Otedola Bridge end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Mr. Rasaq Fakorede, for selling petrol above pump price and into jerrycans.
The accountant of the station, Ibrahim Adewale, was also nabbed.
The RRS said it got information that the petrol station was selling fuel at N180 to hawkers, who brought jerrycans to the station, neglecting motorists.
It was learnt that the officers of the RRS swooped on the station and caught the station’s attendants selling fuel to people with jerrycans, while many motorists lined up without hope of buying fuel at the station.
A RRS source said, “We learnt that the station was dispensing fuel to the public at N180 per litre, which was far from the regulated pump price of N86.50k.
“We also found out that the station, as of the time of the visit, had over 5,000 litres inside its underground tanks, while refusing to sell to motorists.”
Our correspondent gathered that the police also seized 30 jerrycans filled with petrol, which were hidden in an office at the station.
The station’s manager and accountant were subsequently arrested.
Fakorede, the manager of the filling station, pleaded that he be pardoned.
“I will organise my boys to start selling the fuel to the vehicles in the queue,” he added.
RRS commander, Disu, said the manager and the station’s accountant had been handed over to the Isheri Police Station for onward transfer to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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