Lagos | Wednesday
A MOB in Nigeria’s main city of Lagos lynched three policemen who killed a bus driver and conductor after they refused to pay extortion money at a police checkpoint, witnesses said on Wednesday.
The crowd attacked the policemen late on Tuesday after they shot dead the bus driver and his conductor in turn for refusing to hand over 20 naira (18 US cents) demanded by the police, residents said.
Corrupt police in Nigeria regularly demand money from motorists, particularly bus and truck drivers, at checkpoints set up illegally around cities.
Lagos State Police Commissioner Mike Okiro said an incident had taken place but said the details were not clear and declined comment.
Lateef Obatayo, a local resident, said the crowd, exasperated by the constant demands for money and outraged by the fatal shooting of the bus driver killed the policemen and then set their vehicle alight.
The police command has often declared the checkpoints mounted by police illegal but has done nothing to dismantle them. – AFP