The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a driver who hit a police officer on a bridge into a river in the state.
The policeman who was on traffic duty along Airport Road, Ikeja, fell into a river from the top of a bridge.
It was learnt that the officer who was rescued unconscious was treated at the state Emergency and Trauma Centre.
The video of the incident had gone viral on social media and prompted the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, to call for the immediate arrest of the driver of the Toyota SUV involved in the accident.
It was learnt that the driver had been detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, said the police inspector was still alive and healthy.
Adejobi said this was contrary to insinuation that the policeman died before he was taken to the hospital.
He said the incident occurred on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at about 5.30pm, when some LASTMA personnel who were backed up by the police on enforcement duty, tried intercepting the Toyota SUV, allegedly driving against traffic along International Airport road.
“The driver resisted arrest and while trying to escape, a police inspector, David Zapania, who was knocked down from the bridge fell into a canal.
“The police inspector was rescued and rushed to the Lagos State Emergency and Trauma Centre where he was attended to and discharged, but sustained a fracture on his left hand,” he said.
Adejobi further disclosed that the reckless driver, Sunday Okodo, 38, of Alose close, Bony Crescent, Apapa, has been detained and his vehicle also impounded.
He added that the driver would be arraigned before a mobile court at Oshodi.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has sympathised with the policeman and restated his zero tolerance for gross violation of traffic laws and regulations in the state,” he added.
