The Lagos State Police Command is currently investigating the alleged assault on a lady, Tope Segun, by suspected members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in the Olodan area of Ijora Badia, Lagos. Tope accused the OPC members of brutally attacking her at the behest of her former boyfriend, identified as Atari, who allegedly summoned the men to discipline her brother, Abdulahi.
In video clips obtained by PUNCH Metro, Tope is seen with visible injuries, demanding justice as she recounts being beaten while attempting to protect her brother from the alleged assault.
Tope shared her ordeal, stating that her former boyfriend visited their house on Olodan Street on December 29, 2023, and clashed with her brother. The dispute escalated, leading Atari to invite OPC members to discipline her brother. Tope, attempting to intervene, was allegedly assaulted by the OPC members, suffering injuries visible in the video clips.
She explained, “When the OPC men came, they began hitting my brother with planks. They beat him from our place towards the OPC’s base. When I got there to seek my brother’s release, telling them our father just died, they were asking if I knew where I came to. One of them took a grinding machine belt and flogged me with it. I was slapped. I was running to the other street, and one of them followed me and kept hitting me with the belt. I insisted I must take my brother home.”
Tope reported the incident to the police, and the case has reached the Area Command. However, she expressed concern that despite the severity of the assault, the suspect was released on bail, and the case was scheduled for a meeting at the Area Commander’s office on Wednesday at 2 pm.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident and clarified that the suspect was released on bail, as is his entitlement. He mentioned that all parties involved were scheduled to meet at the Area Commander’s office for further investigation.
Concerns have been raised by residents, to the Police with one sharing a video showing injuries on Tope’s upper body. A resident expressed dissatisfaction with the response, stating, “This lady was beaten by one OPC member, who is known for terrorising Ijora Badia area. He was reported at the police station regarding this issue. He was detained for only a day instead of being charged to court the next day. This lady is vulnerable.”
The OPC faction headed by Gani Adams has pledged to investigate the matter and provide further details.