A tricycle operator, Ganiyu Jamal Babatunde, 25, was found guilty and given a prison sentence by an Oyo State Magistrate Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, for assaulting Senior Traffic Warden Damilare Ajibike while he was on duty.
According to the state police, on June 22 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Senior Traffic Warden Damilare Ajibike and his colleagues from the Felele Police Divisional Headquarters were on duty in the Idi-odo neighborhood of Felele, Ibadan, when they noticed a tricycle parked in front of a bank, carrying passengers. This obstructed traffic and posed a security risk to the banking establishment.
The operator—later identified as Ganiyu Jamal Babatunde—refused to move even after being told to do so. He resisted the traffic team’s attempt to arrest him and violently hit the officer with a plank, seriously injuring him and causing extensive bleeding.
The trial Magistrate found Babatunde guilty of violating Section 356 of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol II, Laws of Oyo State Nigeria 2000, and Section 7(1) of the Road Traffic Laws of Oyo State Nigeria 2004. He was subsequently sentenced to a year in prison.
While reacting to the sentencing, the Oyo State Police Command said restoring and maintaining public confidence in law enforcement personnel remains its top priority.
The command added that an internal inquiry into the conduct of Traffic Warden STW Isiaka Michael, who was captured on video assaulting Mr. Babatunde during the arrest, is nearing completion. The command encourages citizens to report any concerns regarding police conduct and values the active participation of the media in addressing such matters.
