A driver who went viral for assaulting a police officer and later arrested by the Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has explained the reasons behind him attacking the cop.
In a video circulating online, where detectives are heard interrogating him, the 19-year-old suspect states that he had never assaulted an officer before, and that this incident was his first time.
When asked by the officers to explain the reason behind his actions, Ian Njoroge said he was provoked by anger, which led him to assault the officer.
“I had never hit a police officer before. Today was my first time. I was just provoked by anger,” he said.
According to Njoroge who set for arraignment, he differed with the officer, who is fighting for his life in hospital, over money.
“We had a misunderstanding, and he was demanding more money than what I had,” he claimed.
In the clip, the investigating officers also sought to know who Njoroge’s parents are and their occupation.
The man is heard detailing that his father is a teacher while his mother is a business lady.
At the same time, one of the officers reminded Njoroge that the cop he had assaulted was more like his father and that he had not right whatsoever to do what he did.
Police in Kasarani reported that the suspect was arrested on Sunday June 2 evening at his home in the Jacaranda area of Kayole, Nairobi hours after the video went viral on social media.
How the Driver Assaulted the Police Officer
Njoroge assaulted and injured the officer during a traffic stop in Mirema along Kamiti Road on Sunday June 2.
Also Read: Motorist Caught in Viral Video Beating Police Officer Arrested
The police report states that officer was on duty along Kamiti Road at Mirema Junction controlling traffic when he spotted a motor vehicle making a U-turn on the road, causing obstruction to other road users.
The traffic police then approached his car and instructed him to drive to the Kasarani police station.
However, the driver allegedly turned violent, drew a machete from his car, and threatened to attack the police officer, who had to run for his safety.
“When he approached the said motor vehicle, the driver hit the road kerb and got stuck. In the process, the officer managed to enter the vehicle on the front passenger seat and instructed the driver to drive to the police station,” the report read in part.
It is reported that the driver then followed him outside and started beating him up before he was saved by members of the public.
Also Read: Video of Man Assaulting Police Officer Sparks Mixed Reactions
Viral Video Shared Online
The man is seen pushing and punching the officer with kicks, who does not fight back as someone in the background is heard trying to intervene shouting achana na yeye (leave him alone).
The video captures him fleeing the scene with a section of the road users pursuing him before he drove off and escaped.
The incident drew widespread attention and prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading up to the confrontation.
Police reported that the traffic officer sought medical attention at Crestview Mother and Child Wellness Centre in Kasarani and was referred to Mama Lucy for further treatment.
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