An unidentified driver, who allegedly defaulted during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Kwara State, beat up a policeman and tore his uniform on Saturday.

The man who was driving a truck during the exercise was accosted by policemen at Zango area of Ilorin.

It was learnt that an attempt to arrest the man later degenerated into a fight.

A source said as the policemen attempted to deflate the tyres of the truck, the driver allegedly pounced on one of them, beat him up and tore his uniform.

Commissioner for Environment and Forestry in the state, Mr. Samuel Bamisaiye, in an interview with journalists shortly after the sanitation exercise said efforts would be made to prevent a recurrence.

An environmental sanitation official, Mr. Raphael Odeyemi, commended the security personnel for preventing the incident from escalating.

He said the police later arrested the errant driver.

Meanwhile, Bamisaiye said no fewer than 49 people were arrested for defaulting during the exercise. He added that they had been prosecuted.

He expressed disappointment that some youths in Zango area of Ilorin did not take the exercise seriously.

There was however appreciable level of compliance in some areas of Ilorin such as Oloje, Alfa Yahaya, Gerin Alimi, Gambari, Ita Ajia and Ipata market.