…as tricycle, phones reportedly remain at palace despite police intervention
The TORAN Media House has demanded justice and a thorough investigation into the alleged assault and detention of a commercial tricycle operator, Mr Lawrence Ugo, following a disagreement over a fuel queue in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Friday, September 11, 2026, at a filling station in the Ori-Ekiti area, allegedly involved a traditional chief identified as High Chief Bafon and a person described as his bouncer. According to Ugo and eyewitness accounts cited in connection with the incident, what began as a disagreement over movement within the queue allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation during which the tricycle operator was beaten.
Recounting his experience in a distress video reportedly recorded after his release from the Amotekun Corps Idemo office, Ugo alleged that Chief Bafon approached him while he was speaking with a passenger and slapped him without explanation. Ugo alleged that the situation subsequently became violent, claiming that he was beaten, ordered to lie on the ground and subjected to further humiliation.
He further alleged that Chief Bafon and his bouncer contacted the Amotekun Corps, after which he was taken to the Idemo office, where he claimed he was detained and allegedly assaulted again. Ugo also alleged that his mobile phones were taken and that his tricycle was driven to a palace.
Ugo told persons who heard his account that he was later released but that his tricycle and phones remained in the custody of persons at the palace. He subsequently reported the matter at the Odo-Ado Police Station, where, according to his account, a police officer accompanied him to the palace in an effort to recover the property. Ugo alleged that the tricycle was not released, with palace officials reportedly stating that its release depended on an order from Chief Bafon.
Palace workers, according to the account, also alleged that the chief’s traditional beads were damaged during the confrontation and described the incident as a matter involving a taboo. The police response and the alleged conversation at the palace could not independently be verified at the time of filing this report.
The development has raised concerns over the reported detention of the tricycle operator and the continued retention of his means of livelihood. Persons familiar with the matter alleged that Ugo was held at the Amotekun facility for more than 24 hours, although the precise circumstances and legal basis of the reported detention remain unclear.
Residents who reportedly know the victim described him as a peaceful commercial tricycle operator, while TORAN questioned the circumstances under which a private disagreement allegedly resulted in the involvement of a security outfit, the detention of a citizen and the retention of his property.
TORAN, in a statement on the incident, called for an impartial investigation into the allegations against Chief Bafon, the alleged involvement of his bouncer and the circumstances surrounding Ugo’s arrest and detention. The organisation also urged the relevant authorities to establish what role the Amotekun Corps played in the matter and whether proper legal procedures were followed.
TORAN further called for the recovery and return of Ugo’s tricycle and mobile phones, subject to any lawful investigative requirement, and urged that he receive appropriate medical attention if his alleged injuries are confirmed.
The media organisation stressed that its demand for justice should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt against Chief Bafon, the Amotekun Corps or any other individual named in the allegations. Rather, TORAN said it was demanding that the claims be subjected to a transparent investigation and that anyone found culpable be made to face the law.
Efforts to obtain a response from Chief Bafon were reportedly unsuccessful as of press time, while the Amotekun Corps was yet to publicly provide its account of the alleged detention or explain the legal basis for the reported period of custody. TORAN therefore urged all parties to remain calm and allow the appropriate authorities to establish the facts.
