SaharaReporters learnt the officers later proposed a compensation of N200,000, despite Ogunsanya incurring N5 million in surgery.
Three plainclothes police officers from the Red House Police Station in Iju-Ishaga, Lagos, assaulted Nigerian musician Damilola Ogunsanya with an iron baseball bat, resulting in a fractured kneecap.
SaharaReporters learnt the officers later proposed a compensation of N200,000, despite Ogunsanya incurring N5 million in surgery.
Damilola told SaharaReporters on Saturday that on December 17, 2024, at around 7 PM, he was standing beside his car, waiting for his personal assistant when the officers approached him and started beating him with an iron baseball bat. Without explanation, they arrested him and took him to the station.
He said that at the station, they forced him and others to sit on the floor and accused him of drinking and causing a disturbance.
He claimed that the officers took out some alcoholic beverages and fire crackers from the station, placed them in front of him, and took photos as evidence. They also confiscated his phone and car keys.
When his mother arrived at the station, Damilola said she was refused entry and he was denied medical attention despite his pleas. He alleged that the officers drove her away, and he was detained overnight.
By 2 AM, his leg had become severely swollen, and he begged for medical assistance, but his requests were ignored, according to him.
He explained that one officer informed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) about his condition, but rather than offer help, the DPO threatened him.
He said that the DPO told him that if he didn’t stop complaining, he would break his other leg.
Damilola told SaharaReporters that the next morning, his family and church members gathered outside the station, demanding his release.
He said a church member contacted a commissioner in Abuja, who intervened and ordered his release.
However, before letting him go, the DPO allegedly forced Damilola to write a false statement admitting to drinking and causing a disturbance.
Damilola, who was on his way to pick up his wife and toddler before the arrest, said the attack had upended his life and career.
He said that he had an event that evening.
Damilola claimed that he spent N5 million on surgery, but the officers offered him only N200,000 in compensation after causing severe damage to his leg.
He narrated, "As I was driving through the streets, I noticed some boys playing with fire crackers and using their phones. I drove past them and continued to my PA’s apartment. When I arrived, I asked my PA, ‘What’s happening on your street? Why are these boys playing with fire crackers? It’s December, and fire crackers were expensive. Why are they wasting their money?’ I was joking about it.
"I reminded my PA about the event that night and told him I’d go pick up my wife and come back for him. I decided to wait for a minute so we could go together. While waiting, it was already past 7 PM, and it was getting dark. My PA handed me his phone to help input something, and I stood there waiting.”
He reported to SaharaReporters that suddenly a young man approached and grabbed his knickers without identifying himself or displaying any police ID.
"I was scared and thought he might be a thief. I tried to free myself and leave the area, but he kept dragging me. That’s when I realised this person wasn’t joking.
"Two other men joined him, and they started beating me up. They claimed to be police officers, but they weren’t in uniform—just black T-shirts,” he said.
The music artist explained that the three officers didn’t explain why they were attacking him.
He said, "I told them, ‘Even if you’re police, you can’t just beat me up without telling me what I’ve done wrong.’
"They broke my kneecap, and I couldn’t defend myself. I fell to the ground, and they dragged me to their vehicle. My PA, who was coming from his apartment, saw the commotion but didn’t realise it was me until he heard my voice.
"I shouted for help, hoping someone would alert my wife. One of our sales representatives recognised the officers and told my wife they were from Red House Police Station, Iju-Ishaga. They drove me to the station, where I saw two other people—a teenage boy who had also been beaten.”
He told SaharaReporters that at the station, they made them to sit on the floor, accused him of drinking and causing a disturbance. They took pictures as evidence and confiscated our phones and my car keys.
"They locked us up, and when my mum arrived, they didn’t allow her to see me. I tried to tell her I needed medical attention for my leg, but they drove her away,” he said.
When SaharaReporters asked if he was able to identify the officers, he said, "I know their faces, but not their names.
"They locked us up until the next morning. Around 2 AM, I noticed swelling in my leg and called the officer in charge, pleading for medical attention. I told them I was willing to cover the medical bills, but they ignored me. One officer went to told the DPO but he threatened to break my other leg if I didn’t stop complaining.”
He told SaharaReporters that the next morning, his family and church members gathered outside the station.
According Damilola, one of his church members contacted a commissioner in Abuja, who ordered his release.
"The DPO asked me to write a statement, which I did under duress. They forced me to admit to drinking and causing a disturbance, which I never did.
"After my release, I sought medical help. My leg was fractured, and I needed surgery. For the past two months, I’ve been unable to work or perform as a musician.
"I’ve spent between five and seven million naira on medical bills and lost income.
"I want them to compensate me for my losses. They can’t give me back the time I’ve lost or fully heal my leg, but they should take responsibility for what happened.
"The officers who injured me should face consequences," Damilola added.
When SaharaReporters contacted Mr Kenneth, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Red House Police Station, Iju-Ishaga, he responded: "Let me clarify something. Normally, as a DPO, I should not be speaking to the press because it is the Public Relations Officer (PRO) who has the right to do so. However, I am engaging with you now.
"There is no officer involved in this case that I am aware of. The man you mentioned, whom I know, was in my office last week. I asked him, ‘When were you picked up?’ He said December. I questioned, ‘You were picked up in December, so why are you only coming forward now?’ In summary, he was accompanied by another person."
"As a police officer, and especially as a DPO within my jurisdiction, if I encounter someone who has been in an accident or is injured, it is my duty and responsibility to ensure that person receives proper care. I assured him of this.
"I told him that I did not send any of my officers to do anything improper. However, on my own, I personally called his elder brother today. I used this same phone number you are calling me on now. As long as this incident falls within my jurisdiction, I am willing to assist. I even told him that when I receive my salary, I will personally raise ₦200,000 to help."
When SaharaReporters asked if any disciplinary measures were being taken against the officers allegedly involved, he said, ‘No’.
"I just told you—I cannot recall the exact details of the incident. He said it happened in December, but now we are in February. If it was truly one of my officers, why didn’t he come to me earlier? That is what I asked them.
"In the end, the people who came acknowledged that I am a good DPO, and that is just the kind of person I am. I have cautioned everyone to be disciplined," the DPO added.
When asked if he had identified the officers involved, he said, "I have not identified them yet."
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters obtained a voice note in which the DPO confirmed that officers under his command were involved in the arrest of Damilola and that he was injured in the process.
"I don't know what to say about him claiming he treated himself with five million naira. To be honest, I don't even know how to respond. That’s why it hasn’t been easy for me to call—not because I don’t care. Even when I’m driving and see someone in need, I have helped several times. I have picked up people on the road and taken them to the hospital," he said.
"I won’t refuse to call you just because my officers are involved or not involved. That’s not my way. I genuinely want to appeal, but right now, I don’t know what to say.
"What I will try to do this month—once my salary is paid—I will assist you with ₦200,000," the DPO said.