Sunday, January 15, 2017

Chi Limited workers attacked, blinded our policeman with acid- CP



The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, yesterday, revealed that policemen sent to quell protest of Chi Limited, casual workers, at the company’s headquarters, Ajao Estate, Lagos State, opened fire after some of the protesters turned violent.

According to Owoseni, after carrying out thorough investigation into the shooting, which led to the death of a casual worker identified as Daniel Osikoya, 19 and another worker, still in hospital, he has come to the conclusion, that his policemen did everything within the ambit of the rules of engagement.
He said that the policemen wouldn’t have opened fire, if not that the workers turned violent and attacked the policemen with acid.
According to him, one of the policemen drafted to the scene, is now languishing in hospital, completely blind.
The casual workers were protesting the distribution of Yuletide gift items by the company to only regular workers.
Owoseni said: “The police will not stand with folded arms in the course of duty, while criminal elements threaten lives of policemen. Police responded to distress calls after casual workers, asking for Christmas bonuses, embarked on a protest. Policemen were sent to stop break down of law and order, and to safeguard lives of the workers.
“The agitation turned violent. Policemen were held hostage and acids used to attack them. One of the policemen will never be able to see again. He’s still in the hospital. The policemen acted within the ambit of the law.”
He argued that one of the rules of engagement is that a policeman could apply minimum force if his life was in danger.
He said: “To stop the violence and attack on the policemen, the policemen shot at the legs of the workers. Unfortunately, this led to the death of one of the workers and another, who is still in hospital, sustained injury. The situation was handled professionally.”
He urged journalists to always balance their stories, stressing that the report of the Chi Limited workers protest, was jaundiced.
He further said: “We’ll not allow criminal elements to take advantage and lives of our policemen.”

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