Police arrest man for assaulting Lagos female driver

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Friday Onu, a suspected thug, after a viral video showed him assaulting a female commercial driver, Yetunde Amole, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

The viral video showed Amole visibly battered, with bruises on her face and her clothes torn, while calling on human rights organisations, transport unions and well-meaning individuals to fight for her.

The attack, which occurred on Monday, near the Oriental Hotel, sparked outrage on social media.

 In a statement released on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, the police confirmed Onu’s arrest, stating that he was apprehended by officers from the Maroko Division shortly after the incident.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was caught attempting to steal Ms Amole’s car battery,” Hundeyin said.

“When she confronted him, he responded with a violent attack, which was captured on video and widely circulated.”

He added that Onu fell ill while in detention and was promptly moved to the Falomo Police Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment under police supervision.

The Command assured the public that Onu would be arraigned as soon as he was medically fit.

“We commend the courage of Ms. Amole in standing up to her attacker,” Hundeyin stated.

“The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice is served and to protecting all residents, especially those vulnerable to such brazen acts of violence.”

Amole, in the viral clip, pleaded for justice, calling on human rights organisations and transport unions to intervene.

“Everybody watching this video, please make it go viral,” she cried. “Is it because I’m a commercial driver? He beat me and stripped me. Look at my face, look at my clothes. I won’t let this go.”

Recounting the incident, Amole said she had picked up the suspect near the under-bridge by the Oriental Hotel after he claimed to be heading to the Nigerian Law School.

She grew suspicious after noticing him fiddling with her car battery through her rear-view mirror.

“I got down and confronted him,” she said in the video. “When I asked what he was doing, he denied everything. That’s when he started beating me.”

Amole, while filming outside the Maroko Police Station, continued to call on authorities, women’s rights groups, and commercial transport unions to intervene.

“I buy tickets, I pay my dues. Look at how I’ve been treated. If I don’t have anyone to fight for me, God will,” she added.