Policemen attached to Yaba Police Area Command in Ondo town today reportedly brutalized a correspondent of the state-owned Newspaper,” The Hope” Mr Victor Akinkuolie.
He was assaulted for allegedly challenging the policemen who parked on a major road in the community.
The reporter who is currently receiving treatment in a nearby hospital said he was going to his beat when he saw a newly distributed patrol vehicle belonging to the station blocking the major highway.
According to Akinkuolie, the development later caused traffic congestion in the area.
He said he immediately turned his vehicle and took alternative road, but the police later trailed him to Idi-ishin area, where he was ordered by the police to come out of his car.
His words “I immediately came down, and I saw policemen numbering five; they descended heavily on me beating me to comatose. It took the intervention of some Newspaper vendors in the area who rescued me from being brutalised.
“The situation later took another dimension when some Okada riders in the community stormed the scene to protest my maltreatment by the police”.
Speaking on the incident, a human right activist in Ondo town community, who is also the Coordinator of the Defender of Yoruba Peoples Right (DYPR) Otunba Muyideen Olamoyegun, condemned the police action.
Olamoyegun urged the Police authority to warn their officers against trampling on the right of the citizenry.
The Ondo Area Commander, Mr Nosa Osakwe was not around during the attack.
But a senior police officer attached to the station promised to investigate the matter and ensure that appropriate action was taken on those officers found liable.
As at press time, the reporter was still receiving treatment at the hospital.