Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested five
Police officers and declared an Inspector, Dania Ojo, wanted, for
allegedly shooting dead a girl, Ada Ifeanyi, in the Apapa area of
Lagos State.
One Emmanuel Akomafuwa was said to have sustained
life-threatening injuries as a result of the shooting that killed
the 20-year-old girl.
The policemen arrested were identified as: Inspector Adamu
Usman, Sergeant Adeyeye Adeoye, Sergeant Kashim Tijani, Sergeant
Lucky Akigbe and, Sergeant Paul Adeoye.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said
the Police officers were already facing internal disciplinary
actions at the Command’s headquarters, adding that if found
wanting, they would be prosecuted in conventional court for
murder.
Elkana said in a Press statement, “The Commissioner of Police
Lagos State, Zubairu Muazu, has ordered the immediate arrest and
detention of Police officers suspected to be involved in the
shooting of Ada Ifeanyi, 20, of No. 4B, Amusa Lane, Off Ojo Road
Ajegunle; and Emmanuel Akomafuwa, 32, of No. 52, Babatunde Street,
Olodi Apapa, at Akpiri Street, Olodi Apapa.
“The incident happened on Saturday, April 13, 2019 around
7am.
“The victims were rushed to the hospital and Ada Ifeanyi was
confirmed dead, while Emmanuel Akomafuwa is currently on admission,
receiving treatment from the injury he sustained as a result of the
shooting.
“Members of the team suspected to be involved in the shooting
are from Trinity Police Station and are currently facing internal
disciplinary proceedings at the Command’s Headquarters, Ikeja.
“Their rifles have been retrieved for forensic analysis by
ballisticians. If found wanting, they will be prosecuted in
conventional court for murder.
“The policemen arrested are: Inspector Adamu Usman, Sergeant
Adeyeye Adeoye, Sergeant Kashim Tijani, Sergeant Lucky Akigbe and
Sergeant Paul Adeoye; while Inspector Dania Ojo, who escaped
immediately after the shooting incident, has been declared wanted
by the Command.”
Elkana, who condemned the rate at which policemen have been
involved in the killing of unarmed civilians, said CP Mu’azu had
expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family, adding
that the Command, in its effort to rid the Force off ‘criminal
elements,’ subjects any officer found culpable to disciplinary
measures, dismissal and prosecution in a convention court.
The PPRO added, “Lagos State Police Command condemned in total
these senseless killings of unarmed civilians by a few ‘bad eggs ‘
in the Command, who are bent on denting the image and reputation of
the nation’s Police Force.
“The Command will not relent in its efforts in ridding the Force
of these criminal elements.
“Those involved in extra-judicial killings and abuse of power
are promptly identified, isolated, tried through internal
disciplinary proceedings, dismissed from service and prosecuted in
conventional Courts.
“Within the last one month, Lagos State Police Command has
dismissed four policemen for abuse of power and awarded various
degrees of punishments to 41 others.
“The four dismissed policemen were charged to court and remanded
in prison custody.
“Our collective resolve in building a more humane, professional,
dedicated, courageous and people-oriented Police Force is a task
that must be done and together, we can make it a reality.
“The Commissioner of Police extends the Command’s deepest
condolences to the family and friends of Ada Ifeanyi, and promised
to foot the medical bills of Emmanuel Akomafuwa.
“The CP calls for calm, as the Command will leave no stone
unturned in ensuring that justice prevails.”