Erhator
But for his exemplary conduct, Nigerians would have been assaulted with a fresh story of another of its citizens being deposited in the morgue, or at best ending up in hospital as a result of police bullets.
But Sunday Erhator, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, exhibited a rare attitude in neither using his weapons or his force as a policeman even under extreme assault by a civilian, as seen in a viral video that surfaced on Sunday.
For that extraordinary feat, he is currently smiling as the ever appreciative Nigerian populace, are intent on making sure that his conduct did not go in vain, which has resulted in raising a whopping N500,000, as at Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the video was made public.
The police officer, was reportedly attacked by one Victor Ebhomenyen, a 33-year-old Ebhomenyen on Saturday at Four Point Hotel in Oniru area of Lagos State.
While Ebhomenyen, was seen pushing Erhator vehemently, Etinosa Obaywana, his company in the white Hyundai SUV, MUS 251 EH, in which they were travelling before being stopped, for driving against traffic, though, was seen trying to mediate, did very little to contain the situation.
Even when the young man, seized Erhator, said to have headed a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, to drop off some of the personnel at strategic points, he still remained calm without retaliating.
The Punch reports that the donation was started on Sunday by a Facebook user, Ugo Egbujo. According to Egbujo, “Many of us have indicated interest to bless that police officer. The idea is to support ethical policing. The idea is to encourage responsible policing. We will give ourselves 48hrs. No amount is too small. It’s a show of support.”
Over N450,000 has been received in cash donation as of the time of filing this report. The donation is expected to end on Tuesday while the money is expected to be given to Erhator by Wednesday afternoon.
Many Nigerians on Facebook have also commended the professional conduct of the officer. A user, Ope Ajomo, wrote, “Wow this is impressive! The officer kept his cool all through the provocation. This officer deserves an award. I must confess that I have never seen a calm policeman under this type of situation. This officer may one day be the IG of police. This is commendable.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also met with Erhator on Monday at the Lagos Governor House in Marina for a “Governorship Handshake”. The governor applauded the police officer for his “show of patience, decorum and what is expected of a police officer” in the face of provocation and urged other officers to emulate him.
Olaiwola Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), and spokesman of the command, who gave details of the incident, explained that the authorities were quite happy with the conduct of the police officer.
He said in a statement on Sunday about the incident, the previous day: “The command has deemed it necessary and responsible to react and set the record straight on the incident that was captured in a video that went viral on the social media on Saturday, April 17, where two men were repeatedly assaulting an officer on duty and creating a scene on the road at Four Point, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“To set the record straight, on Saturday, at about 10:30am, one ASP Erhator Sunday, and team attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the command, who were on a convoy movement to drop off policemen at their various beats across the state, blocked and stopped a white Hyundai SUV, MUS251EH facing the convoy on “one way”, driven by the suspect, Victor, at Four Point Hotel, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“When the police stopped the vehicle, the occupants, one Victor Ebhomenye and Etinosa Obaywana, angrily came down, confronted and violently assaulted ASP Erhator Sunday, inflicting severe bodily injuries on him.
“The officer, who was armed with his official Ak47 riffle, displayed a high level of professionalism amidst fierce provocations by resisting the temptation of using his rifle on the suspect. The prime suspect, Victor, is in the police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department Panti, for investigation and prosecution as and when due, while effort is on to arrest his fleeing accomplice, Etinosa, who has been identified.
“According to the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, the vehicle has been impounded and taken to the Lagos State Taskforce Office, Oshodi, for appropriate penalty.”
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has commended the police personnel for their act of maturity, self-control, perseverance and professionalism in managing the “drama” created by the suspect; and tactical due enforcement of law and order without any infringement on the suspect’s or any person’s human rights during the saga.
“CP Hakeem Odumosu, therefore, advised police personnel in the command to emulate the act of professionalism, maturity and perseverance displayed by the assaulted officer and his colleagues despite series of provocations exhibited by the suspects and his fleeing accomplice at the scene.
“The Police boss however warned against any violence or attack on the police and other security operatives in the state as such will be professionally resisted and erring individuals will be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.”
