A certain chief in the Ijegun area of Lagos state simply identified as Ajiroba, has been arrested by the police for allegedly assaulting a pregnant bread seller, one Bukola Olasunkanmi, in the Isheri-Oshun area of the state.
The chief and his thugs were said to have allegedly flogged the seven-month-old pregnant woman several times, claiming she mediated in an argument involving some levy collectors and another bread seller at the Ijegun bus stop, The Punch gathered.
The matter was reported at the Isheri Oshun police division and Ajiroba was reportedly arrested.
Meanwhile, Olasunkanmi, who sustained injuries after the assault, was rushed to a private hospital, and later taken to the Igando General Hospital.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, saying “A case of assault occasioning harm was reported against the suspect.
“Investigation is ongoing. The command will ensure that justice is done,” the PPRO added.
The victim claimed that after she reported the matter to the police, she had been receiving threat-to-life phone calls, which made her to write a petition to the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Zone 2, Onikan, Bala Hassan.
Speaking on the alleged assault, Olasunkanmi said she had been asked to report at the general hospital daily for checkups to ensure that the assault did not affect the pregnancy.
According to the expectant mother, “I work as a mobile bread vendor, and the assault happened on March 11, 2016, while I was supplying bread to a customer at the Ijegun bus stop.
“At a point in the transaction, I noticed that another bread vendor had thrown her wooden tray on the bonnet of my car and I realised that she was being harassed by some local levy collectors operating in the area.
“I intervened by pleading with the collectors to let her go as she strapped a baby to her back, I said, ‘Leave this woman alone.’
“It was at this point that one Chief Ajiroba, accompanied by four hoodlums, emerged from a corner with a cane and began to flog me.
“I was beaten like a criminal at the bus stop despite being pregnant.
“I ran to the Isheri Osun division and reported the matter.
“Policemen thereafter followed me to the chief and he was detained that day. Although the chief has apologised to me, my fear is that strange people have been visiting my residence since the encounter, with most of them warning me that my life was no longer safe as I dared to report a chief to the police.
“I want the police to help me out and ensure that justice is served in this matter. I go almost every day to the Igando General Hospital for checkups,” Olasunkanmi said.
Ajiroba who was detained, has reportedly been granted bail, but was asked to still report at the station.
The Chief, on his part, said, “I did not know she was pregnant. I did not know her before that day.
“I saw two women fighting at the bus stop and I flogged both of them. I have been begging her to drop this matter,” the chief noted.
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