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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