Police allegedly push motorist off Maryland Bridge, video goes viral

Police officers at the Odo Iya Alaro Link Bridge in Maryland, Lagos, have been accused of pushing a motorist off the bridge during a dispute over an alleged BRT lane violation. The video, shared by Objectv Media on Friday, shows officers confronting more than 10 young men while another scene captures the victim on the ground surrounded by sympathisers. The narrator, speaking in Pidgin, alleged that the officers routinely stop motorists on the BRT lane and demand huge fines.

“All those BRT people who stay at the BRT lane in Maryland have pushed someone from the top of the bridge. This is how they hold motorists all the time and make them withdraw N50,000 or N80,000 as a fine,” the narrator claimed. He added, “Just because he refused to withdraw money for them, they pushed him off the bridge where everyone else was driving.” As of now, the victim's identity and condition remain unverified, and it is unclear if he survived.

LAMATA's spokesperson, Mr Kolawole Ojelabi, referred enquiries to the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, whose director, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, did not respond. The Lagos State Police PRO, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, also did not answer calls. This is not the first time we hear such stories, but it raises a serious question: how many more people must fall before the authorities take action against these alleged extortion tactics?