Less than a month after 78-year-old Amos Oriyomi, a Baale in Ikorodu area of Lagos, was allegedly killed by overzealous policemen, another man, Mr. Jude Okpala, has been hospitalised after being shot by a policeman.Jude, who is recuperating at the Lagoon Hospital, Apapa, told PUNCH METRO on Monday that he was shot by a policeman for no just cause.He said, On November 19, 2011, I was driving from Orile towards Mile 2. There was an ongoing road construction at Mile 2 and an alternative route had been created for people to turn at Berger area.While I was making a U-turn at Berger, a policeman just showed up from nowhere and ordered me to park, saying I had contravened a traffic rule.The 36-year-old told our correspondent that he was surprised by the policemans claim because other vehicles before him had turned at that particular spot and were not challenged.Jude said he was trying to park properly to comply with the policemans order when he shot him.He said, As I was trying to park properly, the policeman immediately shot me in my left arm and fled the scene.While I was writhing in pain, some bystanders who witnessed the crime immediately chased him but they retreated when his colleagues threatened to shoot them.It was learnt that after the incident, Jude was immediately taken to a hospital by a commercial motorcyclist.The commercial motorcyclist, who wished to remain anonymous, said he took Jude to about five hospitals before he could get treatment.We first went to Golden Cross Hospital but we were not satisfied with their demands. From there, we went to the Naval Hospital but they said their X-ray machines were not working. From there we proceeded to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where they finally referred us to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, he said.It was gathered that the victims family later took him to Lagoon Hospital where he is presently receiving treatment.Judes brother, Uche, who was also at the hospital when our correspondent visited the place, said he had been told by the doctors that due to the extent of the injuries, his brother had 50 per cent chance of using his hand again.He said, When we got to the Orthopaedic hospital, the doctors said they would have to amputate his hand as the bullet of the AK 47 rifle had pierced Judes arm, destroying a chunk of his flesh.I was however dissatisfied with this prognosis. So, I decided to move him to the Lagoon Hospital. The doctors at the Lagoon Hospital however told us that the chances of Jude regaining full use of his hand were 50 per cent.When asked whether the matter had been reported to the police, Uche said he had gone to report the incident at the Festac Police Station the day the incident occurred.Immediately I got wind of the situation, I proceeded to the police station to make a report. Policemen have also come to the hospital to take my brothers statement. The policeman has been arrested and he is identified as Corporal Samson Iddris, Uche said.Uche said it had been difficult for the family to meet the hospital expenses as the bill kept rising.He said, Because of the extent of the injuries, Jude has been admitted in hospital for less than two weeks; yet we have spent over N1m on treatment already.Because the bullet damaged a chunk of his flesh, doctors had to use skin graft to patch that part of his body.Jude lamented that his brothers problem was already telling on his finances, urging the police authorities to act fast on the matter.I am married and I have two children. I have an aged mother who is also dependent on me. I am a trader and I sell building materials. Since the incident happened, I have put my business on hold because of an overzealous policeman. The authorities must do something about this, he said.Meanwhile, the commercial motorcyclist decried the high-handedness of policemen at Mile 2 and its environs, adding that if nothing was done soon, more people might fall victims to overzealous policemen.He said, I was there when Jude was shot. In fact, I took his pictures with my phone and Im willing to present them if need be. This is not the first time policemen will shoot innocent civilians.I have seen cases where some were even killed. Policemen and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority are fond of harassing okada riders and motorists. Government really needs to look into this. LASTMA and policemen usually find means of extorting money from us everyday.When our correspondent contacted the Lagos State Command, Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, for comment, he was said to be attending a meeting.
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