A mild protest ensued yesterday after a policeman who was negotiating a N50 bribe from a Commercial tricycle operators along the Azikoro Road in Bayelsa State hit a pregnant woman with the butt of his rifle.
Though the police quickly nipped what could have turned into a ugly scene in the bud by firing tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd which was threatening revenge for the over zealous attitude of the policeman, who was said to be an Inspector.
The victim, according to the protesters, was rushed to Glory Land Hospital.
One of the protesting Keke Napep drivers described as unbecoming the activities of policemen at check points in the state capital.
He said: “This is a small state but the amount paid as bribe to policemen is exorbitant and fearful. Can you imagine we pay as much as N600 daily?
“It is wrong and criminal. Most of our passengers are embarrassed by these policemen at night. They extort us and some of the passengers. They call everyone criminal. This is wrong.”
Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said he was not aware of the incident.