As Nigerians continue to groan over the ongoing scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, nationwide, drama erupted at a popular petrol station located along Oba-Adesida Road in Akure, the Ondo State capital, when two mobile policemen exchanged fisticuffs with attendants while trying to buy petrol forcefully at the station.
It was gathered that during the drama, one of the attendants overpowered the mobile policemen and locked them in one of the offices at the filling station.
Problem started when two anti-riot policemen who were in transit drove into the filling station that was not dispensing fuel and demanded that they should be given fuel. The pump attendant, however, turned down the request, saying that they ran out of fuel.
Apparently angered by her explanation, the policemen, who were both sergeants, insisted on checking the fuel storage of the filling station.
The attendants also declined the request and exchange of harsh words ensued in the process.
It was further gathered that one of the policemen, who was angered by the attendants rain of insults on him, removed his belt and started whipping the attendants.
While the fight lasted, one of the attendants, who succeeded from the grip of the officers ran into one of the offices in the filling station and the policemen went after her and continued to beat her.
The girl quickly ran out and locked the police officers inside the office.
The owner of the petrol station, Mr Tope Omileye, who confirmed the incident, said it was evident that they had not received stock in the past three months but the policemen insisted on getting fuel from them.
He also confirmed the man-handling of one of his workers, Esther Abba by the policemen. He said the physically assaulted lady was currently recuperating in hospital.
He added that the case was reported to the police authority in the state and that the officers were subsequently arrested and taken to ‘A’ Division police station for interrogation.
Meanwhile, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Wole Ogodo denied knowledge of the drama.
Comments