Terrible Fight: Traffic Warden Knocked Out a Driver's Teeth Over N50 in Lagos

 Kingsley, who was stopped by a team of traffic wardens at the junction, was allegedly beaten up by Charles for refusing to part with N50 which caused the motorist to loose three of his front teeth during the brawl at Omole bus stop on Oba Ogunnusi Road in the Ojodu area of Lagos State on yertarday. According to Punch, I was learnt that at about 11.30am, Charles, who was with three female officers and four officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, had stopped Kingsley’s vehicle at the junction. The traffic warden allegedly demanded N50 from the motorist before he could let him go.

It all  started when Kingsley claimed that he had earlier given N50 to the warden, adding that he would not give him another until evening. Charles, who insisted on collecting the money, was said to have dragged Kingsley down from the vehicle and punched him in the face, during which the motorist’s three teeth fell off.
It was gathered that Kingsley held the warden and demanded medical treatment. A large crowd was said to have gathered at the scene and tried in vain to separate the warden and the motorist who held each other’s clothes.
Kingsley who spoke with a reporter, said he refused to allow Charles to go because he had injured him. "I am a commercial driver. The warden stopped me about 8am and I gave him N50. So, I was surprised when he asked me again.


I was going towards Agidingbi Road when he stopped me. He demanded another N50. I refused, saying he should wait till evening. He dragged me from the bus and started punching him on my face.


My mouth started bleeding. I realised three of my front teeth had fallen off. So, I grabbed his uniform. People bundled him inside my vehicle and said I should take him to the police station.


His colleagues and LASTMA officials stood away during the altercation because he did not listen to them. I suspect the warden was drunk because of the way he dragged me from my vehicle."

According to a witness identified as Abiodun Dada, "It was the warden who first hit the motorist. He punched him on the mouth and yanked out some of his teeth. It was the blood gushing from the driver’s mouth that attracted pedestrians. We later discovered it was an argument over payment of N50.


If not for the wardens and the LASTMA officials who begged angry motorists, the gathering could have turned violent."

It was learnt that Charles was freed by the motorist at about 12.30pm.

Meanwhile the Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said it was the motorist and his condoctor who assaulted the traffic warden, adding that Charles’ uniform was torn during the attack on him.

"The traffic warden was beaten by a commercial bus driver and his conductor who are still at large. His service uniform was torn to pieces. He was rescued by a team of policemen deployed in the scene. The case will be dealt with decisively," she said.