The police in Lagos State have detained a sergeant, identified only as Isaac, who allegedly shot dead a motorist, Fatai Ajani, in the Orile-Iganmu area of the state.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Isaac, who is attached to the Special Protection Unit, was arrested around 7pm on Sunday when the incident happened.
Our correspondent gathered that the sergeant, had, at about 6.30pm, escorted a Toyota Land Cruiser, with number plate, PF 742 SPY, to the area.
It was learnt that the sergeant had ordered everyone to move away for the vehicle, during which he allegedly started shooting into the air.
PUNCH Metro was told that a commercial bus driver, Ajani, who was heading for the bus stop with a friend, Kehinde Ganiyu, was hit in the process and he died.
The matter was said to have been reported at the Orile Police Division. The sergeant and the driver of the vehicle were subsequently arrested.
A police source told our correspondent that Ajani was hit in the stomach by the policeman’s stray bullet.
He said, “We received the report at about 7.30pm. The deceased and his friend, Ganiyu, who lived in Iledu Street in the Oko Afo area of Badagry, were going to the bus stop to see a friend. The Toyota Land Cruiser was parked near the bridge and the police sergeant began to shoot sporadically.
“The jeep was driven by one Tope Omolayo, who lived in Ibadan, Oyo State. He suddenly stopped and the sergeant came out of the jeep and ordered everybody to get out of the road. That was when he began to shoot and Ajani was hit in the stomach. He died instantly.
“When the operatives got to the scene, the police sergeant was arrested; the driver and the jeep were also taken to the station to avoid a mob action.”
Our correspondent gathered that Ajani’s corpse was deposited in a public morgue in the Yaba area.
Aggrieved motorists and pedestrians were said to have blocked the Orile end of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, to protest the killing of Ajani, said to be a father of five children.
Our correspondent gathered that the protest continued on Monday with bus drivers refusing to ply the Orile to CMS route.
A witness, identified only as Suraju, said, “The deceased and a friend had brought a coastal bus to the area for repairs.
“They were both going to Oko Afo, when the commotion started. I was buying some snacks in a shop when I heard gunshots. Everyone quickly fled the area, as we thought it was a robbery operation.
“When we returned to the scene, the man was dead, and policemen were trying to take his corpse away.
“People became angry and wanted to burn the jeep and the occupants, but the policemen prevented them. The sergeant must not go unpunished.”
Our correspondent learnt that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for further investigation.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said investigation was ongoing into the matter.
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