LAGOS – Contrary to media reports that one person was shot dead by the police while several others sustained injuries during the protest that greeted the commencement of toll collection at the Lekki toll gates, the man told newsmen yesterday that he did not die after all.
Femi Ogunsanya, who spoke at the premises of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, however, admitted that he was manhandled by the police but later rushed to the hospital where he was treated and discharged.
The 38 year-old staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Lekki undertaking told journalists that he did not participate in the peaceful protest that later turned violent, stressing that he was just a victim of circumstance.
He said he was shocked when his colleagues drew his attention to a newspaper publication that he was shot dead. According to him, “actually, I was manhandled by the police that day because I woke up in the hospital. I did not participate in the protest. When I closed from office, on my way home, I met Lekki Local Government chairman at the gate and we exchanged pleasantry.
Suddenly, I saw people running, I tried to escape but was grabbed from behind and a hit of gun butt on my head landed me on the ground; that was the only thing I could remember. I am alive.”
Reacting, the state Command Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, appealed to media professionals to always verify their stories before publication, admitting however that policemen were drafted to the crisis area when it became apparent that the hitherto peaceful protest had turned violent.
