Police react to viral video of officers torturing UNILAG student till he went into coma

The Nigeria Police Force has said it has begun investigating power-drunk policemen who tortured a University of Lagos student, John Akinwale, till he went into a coma in the Mosafejo, Oshodi area of Lagos State.

The NPF Police Complaint Response Unit, Abuja, disclosed this via its Twitter handle on Tuesday.

It was reported that Akinwale was arrested and brutalized on Monday, around 2pm, after he bought fuel at a filling station and was sighted by policemen attached to the Mosafejo division.

It was also reported that the operatives demanded N50,000 for bail from the UNILAG student, who is also an activist, after dragging him to a police station.

In response to the allegations, the NPF CRU said, “Your complaint is hereby acknowledged and investigation has been initiated.”

According to a witness, Akinwale was arrested for having a “covered number plate.”

After the extortion, the policemen, not done, beat Akinwale till he went into a coma, for being “rude” after which he was rushed to the hospital.

Akinwale himself had narrated to SaharaReporters that the Mosafejo Divisional Police Officer ordered that he should be detained.

He had noted that when it was time for him to take his typhoid fever drugs, the policemen prevented him from accessing his vehicle which made him collapse.

“The DPO called me and asked me what the problem was, I was explaining to him but because I was angry, he said I was talking too much and I prostrated (myself before him) and apologized. The next thing he said was that they should take my statement and detain me,” he had narrated.

He had also alleged that a female police officer requested N50,000 for bail from his friend who asked to pay N20,000, which was declined.