Sergeant kills man at check during argument

A police sergeant, Matthew Oche, attached to Metro Police Patrol Team, has been arrested for killing a civilian during an argument at Iddo Checkpoint, Ebute-Metta, Lagos State.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, has order for the immediate arrest and detention of the sergeant.

The incident occurred at Iddo area of Lagos State on Wednesday when the deceased, Mr.  Francis Ogbole, was flagged down for a ‘Stop and Search’ by Oche. The deceased was said to be heading to his village in Benue State, for his sister’s burial, when he met his death.

The deceased’s children were said to have been with him when the incident occurred. Oche was alleged to have pushed Ogbole during an argument that ensued between them. The deceased slipped and hit his head on the concrete. He died at the spot.

Oche, with Force Number, 372727, was said to have stopped Ogbole, who was in his car with three of his children at Iddo axis. He thereafter, demanded for the particulars’ of the vehicle. Soon, they were arguing over tinted glass permit.

One of the deceased’s son, Mr. Ebonyi Ogbole, said: “My father was travelling to Benue State for the burial of his younger sister when he was killed. The policeman flagged down his vehicle at Iddo Motor Park, in Oyingbo, for a ‘Stop and Search.’ My siblings and I were in the car with him.  He was stopped by the policeman. The policeman’s patrol van’s registration number is; KSF-176 EE.

“The policeman requested for the necessary papers, which my father presented. My father was about entering into his car, when the policeman stopped him. He told my father that he couldn’t leave because the back glass of his car was tinted. My father told him that the glass wasn’t tinted; pointing out that the glass appeared so, because it was not day-light. But the policeman appeared to looking for a way to extort my father. An argument ensued between them. Out of anger, the policeman pushed my father and he fell. He hit his head on the ground and died instantly.”

The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident. She added that the sergeant had been arrested and now detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department, (SCID). 

She further said: “The killer cop would be prosecuted and charged to court, accordingly, after completion of investigation.”