The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to launch an investigation into allegations leveled by Nollywood actor Lawori against Ganiyu Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria, a prominent figure in the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

Lawori alleges that he sustained a head injury during an assault at the 2024 Idimu Day event held on June 25, 2024.

In a video shared on social media by user Oyindamola, tweeting as #dammiedammie35, the actor displayed a stitched wound on his head while appealing for justice said he was one of the Masters of Ceremony at an event.

Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed the police’s response to the incident on Monday.

While performing his duties, Lawori stated that an unidentified man approached him on stage and informed him that the NURTW chief had requested his presence, to which he complied.

He narrated, “As I went to meet Koko Zaria to greet him, he asked if I didn’t see them here. Then I apologised and said I would do the needful when I returned to the stage.

“I then heard somebody ask if I was Lawori, thinking that he (the person) didn’t know me and was meeting me for the first time. It was later confirmed to him that I’m Lawori. While I was talking with Koko Zaria and I turned, the man took a bottle of Martell (in front of Koko Zaria and his guys) and broke it on my head.”

The actor further recounted that he was covered in blood and lost consciousness during the attack.

He mentioned that his memory of the incident only resumed at the hospital, where he underwent stitching for his head wound, causing him considerable pain.

“Please, Nigerians, help me. It was Koko Zaria who sent someone to summon me,” he asserted, expressing bewilderment over the motive behind the assault. “Save me from Koko Zaria. I don’t understand what I’ve done to him,” he pleaded.

Responding to the accusation on his Instagram page on Monday, NURTW chief Ganiyu Oyedepo, known as #kokozaria_americaboy, categorically denied the allegation.

“Lawori has never wronged me. We have a very close relationship. I watched a video where he claimed I instructed the attack on him. What reason would I have for such an act?” he questioned.

Oyedepo continued, “Lawori, I have no ill will towards you, but I challenge you to swear by everything dear to you, including your ambitions, that I ordered such an attack.”

The NURTW boss clarified that during the event, which drew a large crowd, he invited the actor to greet him and apologized for missing an earlier engagement the actor had invited him to.

Oyedepo recalled that upon Lawori’s return to the stage, a scuffle broke out involving two individuals as Lawori halted the music they were enjoying.

He emphasized that he did not attend the event with his associates, stating, “As you were leaving the stage, I observed people hitting bottles on your head. I immediately took you to the hospital where you received treatment.

“I stayed with you, covered your medical expenses, and even gave you a significant amount of money. All of this took place on Tuesday.”

He mentioned leaving the hospital with Lawori around 1 a.m. and said that he was the one who informed the actor’s wife about the incident.

Oyedepo also mentioned that Lawori called him on the phone on Wednesday to pray for him and to express gratitude.

“I am aware of everything that’s going on. I know who sent you. I leave you to God,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), responding to the video on X.com on Monday, stated, “This matter will be thoroughly investigated, and justice will prevail. Numerous concerned individuals have contacted me regarding this case. @BenHundeyin, @FCID_ANNEX, @LagosPoliceNG, @PoliceNG.”