There was pandemonium at a bus-stop in Lagos State yesterday after a traffic warden was engaged in fisticuffs with a danfo driver which resulted in the motorist loosing three of his front teeth.
A traffic warden identified as Sunday Charles who engaged in fisticuffs with a motorist, identified as Kingsley at the Omole bus stop on Oba Ogunnusi Road in the Ojodu area of Lagos State on Tuesday, has caused a massive pandemonium in the metropolis.
According to Punch, Kingsley, who was stopped by a team of traffic wardens at the junction, was alledgedly beaten up by Charles for refusing to part with N50 which caused the motorist to loose three of his front teeth during the brawl.
It was learnt that at about 11.30am, Charles, who was with three female officers and four officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, had stopped Kingsley’s vehicle at the junction. The traffic warden allegedly demanded N50 from the motorist before he could let him go.
Trouble started when Kingsley claimed that he had earlier given N50 to the warden, adding that he would not give him another until evening. Charles, who insisted on collecting the money, was said to have dragged Kingsley down from the vehicle and punched him in the face, during which the motorist’s three teeth fell off.
It was gathered that Kingsley held the warden and demanded medical treatment. A large crowd was said to have gathered at the scene and tried in vain to separate the warden and the motorist who held each other’s clothes.
Kingsley who spoke with a reporter, said he refused to allow Charles to go because he had injured him. “I am a commercial driver. The warden stopped me about 8am and I gave him N50. So, I was surprised when he asked me again.
I was going towards Agidingbi Road when he stopped me. He demanded another N50. I refused, saying he should wait till evening. He dragged me from the bus and started punching him on my face.
My mouth started bleeding. I realised three of my front teeth had fallen off. So, I grabbed his uniform. People bundled him inside my vehicle and said I should take him to the police station.
His colleagues and LASTMA officials stood away during the altercation because he did not listen to them. I suspect the warden was drunk because of the way he dragged me from my vehicle.”
According to a witness identified as Abiodun Dada, “It was the warden who first hit the motorist. He punched him on the mouth and yanked out some of his teeth. It was the blood gushing from the driver’s mouth that attracted pedestrians. We later discovered it was an argument over payment of N50.
If not for the wardens and the LASTMA officials who begged angry motorists, the gathering could have turned violent.”
It was learnt that Charles was freed by the motorist at about 12.30pm.
Meanwhile the Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said it was the motorist and his condoctor who assaulted the traffic warden, adding that Charles’ uniform was torn during the attack on him.
“The traffic warden was beaten by a commercial bus driver and his conductor who are still at large. His service uniform was torn to pieces. He was rescued by a team of policemen deployed in the scene. The case will be dealt with decisively,” she said.
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Most of the time, police will not tell us d truth.they work hand in hand .they are after money .lagos 4 show
Who do we believe now? The victim/eye witness or the police PPRO? This is a typical case of “Lion Story” that never runs straight..three sides to a lion story,my side,your side and then the truth. God bless Nigeria.