The Lagos Police command have arrested five officers for killing a lady, identified as Ada Ifeanyi, in Ajegunle.
Bala Elkana, the state Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement made available to Okay Nigeria on Saturday.
Also, one Emmanuel Akomafuwa was said injured in the same incident which happened at in Ajegunle, a neighbourhood located in the heart of Lagos.
The officers in custody are identified as: Inspector Adamu Usman, Sergeant Adeyeye Adeoye, Sergeant Kashim Tijani, Sergeant Lucky Akigbe and, Sergeant Paul Adeoye.
The statement reads: “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 speaking further said: 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.”
What actually happened
According to reports shared on the internet by Nigerian popular rapper Ruggedman, the pairs were returning around 6:30a.m on Saturday, when they were accosted by some police officers who were on a bike.
Since there was no way to identify the officers, Emmanuel refused to stop for them and continued on his trip to drop Jessica at home, however, on getting to their destination, the officers showed up and opened fire on them.
Jessica was shot twice in the belly and once on the lap, while her boyfriend was shot at the back of his head, but their friend was unhurt.