Police sergeant arrested for shooting man to death

The Lagos State Police Command yesterday revealed that it has arrested a police sergeant who shot and killed a civilian in circumstances yet to be known.

Eye witness account claimed that the police sergeant, Otene Godwin, left his duty post at the Area E Command, Festac, and headed to Alakija, where he shot and killed the victim.

A police source explained: “The sergeant was supposed to be at his duty post, but he left for Alakija, for reasons we are yet to know. The truth of the matter is that robbers and car snatchers have come up with new tricks of stealing cars. They would use towing vans to move stolen car, fooling security agents on the road.

“So on that fateful day, at Alakija, the sergeant said he flagged down a towing van, that was towing a vehicle but rather than stop, the driver increased speed. Thus the sergeant thought they were car snatchers, posing as towing van officials.

“When the driver however reached a portion of the road where traffic could no longer allow him to drive through, he halted the van, jumped out and took to his heels. He left the two owners of the car that was being towed behind. When the two stepped down from the car, the sergeant opened fire, shooting one of them on the hand. The gunshot attracted people and soon there was a crowd. Seeing the crowd and sensing danger, the sergeant bolted.

“The crowd watched, while the man bled profusely. Some sympathisers finally mobilized to take him to hospital, but he was rejected. Information about the shooting reached the Area Command, ACP. Dan Okoro, who mobilized some of his officers and they went to the scene of the shooting, from there they located the wounded man and took over to take him to hospital, but he died on the way to another hospital. He bled to death.”

According to police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, the sergeant, identified as Otene Godwin with F/No. 355272 attached to Area ‘E’ Command, had been arrested for allegedly shooting Oyema Edewor.

Braide said: “The incident occurred on May 10, 2014 at about 11pm, along Alakija area of Festac Town. Sgt. Otene abandoned his duty post as the Station Guard at Area ‘E’ Command and left for Alakija area where the unfortunate incident occurred.”

She revealed that Otene was already in police custody, stressing that circumstances surrounding the shooting incident was being investigated.

“The Nigeria Police is a disciplined organization and will never tolerate any act of indiscipline from its members. The Commissioner of Police Lagos State CP Umar A. Manko wishes to use this medium to appeal to members of the public, to remain calm and maintain peace as justice will definitely be done. He had also assured the deceased’s family that investigation will be concluded in good time,” said Braide. 

It was further gathered that Okoro and Braide, yesterday, went to deceased’s home to meet family members and express the command’s heartfelt condolence.