A policeman narrowly escaped being lynched
by an angry mob at Iyana- Iba area of Lagos after he shot a passer-by.
This came as two other policemen assaulted officials of Lagos State
Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in another part of the metropolis.
The policeman, attached to the Ojo Police Station, rank and name yet unknown, was said to have been trying to shoot at the tyres of the vehicle of a suspected criminal, who refused to stop after he was flagged down, when the bullet hit a passer-by. Immediately the victim, fell down, bleeding and screaming, a crowd gathered and attempted to attack the policeman.
He allegedly threatened those who wanted to attack him with his rifle, while tension grew and the crowd multiplied.
A clash was averted by the quick intervention of the Area E Commander, Mr Frank Mba, who dashed to the area with a team of policemen after he got a radio message about the shooting of the civilian.
Mba was said to have addressed the motley crowd and ordered that the shooter be arrested and detained. Reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, warned policemen to uphold the highest standard of their professional calling.
According to him, the command would work to uphold the force leadership position on zero tolerance for indiscipline, abuse of human rights and incivility to members of the public. He said that he would not hesitate to bring erring policemen to book.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Patricia Amadin, said the shooting occurred on Wednesday. The PPRO also confirmed the arrest of two policemen for complicity in the assault of LASTMA officials while on their legitimate duty.
She said: “Trouble started when a policeman from Ojo Division, who was said to be in pursuit of a suspected felon, in an attempt to demobilise the vehicle, fired at the tyre of the fleeing car.
Unfortunately, the bullet brushed through the arm of a passer-by, causing instant tension and anger among some onlookers.
“An attempt by miscreants to take advantage of the situation to foment trouble was averted, as the police leadership employed a combination of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Community Policing tactics to calm frayed nerves.”
The policeman, attached to the Ojo Police Station, rank and name yet unknown, was said to have been trying to shoot at the tyres of the vehicle of a suspected criminal, who refused to stop after he was flagged down, when the bullet hit a passer-by. Immediately the victim, fell down, bleeding and screaming, a crowd gathered and attempted to attack the policeman.
He allegedly threatened those who wanted to attack him with his rifle, while tension grew and the crowd multiplied.
A clash was averted by the quick intervention of the Area E Commander, Mr Frank Mba, who dashed to the area with a team of policemen after he got a radio message about the shooting of the civilian.
Mba was said to have addressed the motley crowd and ordered that the shooter be arrested and detained. Reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, warned policemen to uphold the highest standard of their professional calling.
According to him, the command would work to uphold the force leadership position on zero tolerance for indiscipline, abuse of human rights and incivility to members of the public. He said that he would not hesitate to bring erring policemen to book.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Patricia Amadin, said the shooting occurred on Wednesday. The PPRO also confirmed the arrest of two policemen for complicity in the assault of LASTMA officials while on their legitimate duty.
She said: “Trouble started when a policeman from Ojo Division, who was said to be in pursuit of a suspected felon, in an attempt to demobilise the vehicle, fired at the tyre of the fleeing car.
Unfortunately, the bullet brushed through the arm of a passer-by, causing instant tension and anger among some onlookers.
“An attempt by miscreants to take advantage of the situation to foment trouble was averted, as the police leadership employed a combination of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Community Policing tactics to calm frayed nerves.”
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