Ogun Govt Official Who Assaulted Woman In Viral Video Suspended

The government has taken action after the video which went viral of a government official in Ogun State who assaulted a woman for allegedly violating the coronavirus lockdown rules.

In the video as seen by Naija News, the official tried to deflate the tyres of the woman’s car and attempted to knock off her phone as she was recording him and protesting the incident.

The episode occurred on Saturday at the Ifo local government office in Ogun state.

According to the woman, she had gone out to buy some items for her daughter’s forthcoming birthday celebration when she was flagged down by the officials.

She added that she wasn’t aware she had crossed into Ogun State territory which she tried to explain to the officials but they just wouldn’t budge.

Naija News understands that the COVID-19 lockdown is still in place on Saturdays and Sundays in Ogun State while the Lagos State lockdown has been lifted but both states criss-cross into each other at many points.

The woman narrated;

“This afternoon, on my way to #justritestores in Ojodu to buy a bicycle for my daughter whose 7th birthday is in 2 weeks.”

“We had to get a pass from their local government office which is about 3 minutes away. They seized my husband’s ID card and requested that we drive them to the office. We refused to pick them in the car because of the #covid19 situation and they got really upset.”

“I agreed to walk with the official while my husband drove behind us to their office.” 

“When we arrived, we were handed over to the man in the video who told us we would pay a fine of N15000.00 for disobeying the lockdown that was in place. We explained that we didn’t live in Ogun State and weren’t aware of the lockdown and asked to be pardoned so we could go home. I started recording because I saw that my pleas were falling on deaf ears while the officer called a guy to deflate our tyres.”

See the video as shared on Twitter by Tolu Adesh.

This afternoon, on my way to #justritestores in Ojodu to buy a bicycle for my daughter whose 7th birthday is in 2 weeks, A THREAD@OgbeniDipo @segalink @jimidisu @dabiodunMFR pic.twitter.com/upbRiEMhRR

— Tolu Adesh (@TeeBaibie) June 20, 2020

After the video went viral on social media, Fola Salami, the transition chairman, Ifo local government has disclosed that the matter will be duly investigated while the officials involved have already been suspended without pay.

The local government boss in a statement on Sunday, noted that the officials were enforcing lockdown with inhuman attitude.

“The attention of the Office of the Transition Chairman, Ifo Local Government, Ogun State has been called to a viral video that suggests a case of assault on a lady at Ojodu Abiodun Area of the Local Government,” the statement read.

“It came as a rude shock to me, when I saw the video of one of our officials enforcing the lockdown order with gross inhumane attitude. His attitude does not portray the humane nature popularly preached by Ifo Local Government.

“On this note, I am suspending all officials involved without pay, until further notice.

“Rest assured, the public should be aware that all hands are on deck on this issue and whoever is found guilty will be dealt with decisively.

“Meanwhile, as at the time of this release, the primary official involved has been arrested.”