A policeman, Corporal Bala Adamu, has reportedly shot dead a Mobile policeman, Sergeant Emmanuel Timothy, who was on special assignment in Madagali town of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
This came as police in Lagos allegedly tortured a father of four to death in Lagos while five policemen attached to the Niger State Police Command reportedly shot a villager over N50.
Adamu allegedly shot Timothy to death because the deceased refuse to settle the N100 bill for local gin popularly called Ogogoro to a lady selling alcohol. The alcohol seller was said to be Adamu’s girlfriend.
Confirming the incident to journalists in Yola yesterday, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Othman Abubakar, said the incident occurred on Tuesday following “a minor misunderstanding” about 10.45a.m. at the Madagali Police Division.
He said: “The deceased, Timothy, from 13 Squadron, Makurdi, Benue State, was among those deployed to Adamawa State on special assignment.” Abubakar did not give reason for the misunderstanding.
He said Adamu had been disarmed and arrested, while the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) for investigation.
Abubakar said the Timothy’s body had been deposited at the Specialist Hospital morgue in Yola.
A witness said the two policemen were engaged in hot argument in a local drinking joint when the incident occurred.
A witness said the two policemen were engaged in hot argument in a local drinking joint when the incident occurred.
There was uproar yesterday in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State when the police attached to Okokomaiko Police Station allegedly arrested and tortured a 43-year-old man, Mr. Bukola Adeogun, to death.
Adeogun left four children, among them a two-month-old baby.
He was said to have been allegedly tortured to death during interrogation.
The victim was arrested along with over 30 residents of the community by the policemen about 10p.m. on Tuesday during a raid by the police.
When our correspondent visited the station about 11a.m. yesterday, hundreds of youths and relatives of the deceased were at the station, demanding to see the policemen who came to their community for the raid.
It was learnt that Adeogun, who operated a Lotto kiosk located at the entrance of his residence, 23, Oke-Afa Street, was arrested while leaving the kiosk for his apartment.
Adeogun’s widow, Adewunmi, told our correspondent that her husband was murdered for a crime he knew nothing about.
She said: “He was about leaving his shop when the police apprehended him on Tuesday night. Efforts to ensure he was not taken away proved abortive because many who could talk to the police had fled in order not to be arrested.
“After they left the community, I went straight to the police station with some cotenants, begging them to release him to me. But they did not. I was asked to come today (yesterday), to seek his bail. About 2a.m. today (yesterday), the police brought him home. But at that time, my husband was already emitting foam from his mouth. He could not move any part of his body. All efforts to revive him proved abortive.
“When I inquired from those who were arrested with him, they claimed that he was tortured during the interrogation.”
The widow said the police released her husband’s corpse to her at 2a.m., after realising that they had killed him.
One of Adeogun’s relatives, Yusuf, told our correspondent that the police were responsible for the man’s death.
He said: “Why would he be released at 2a.m. and not either yesterday (Tuesday) night or this morning (yesterday). It is an indication that they knew the consequence of their atrocity. We will not allow this to be swept under the carpet.”
However, when contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chike Oti, said the police were not responsible for Adeogun’s death.
He said: “What happened is that criminal hideouts within that axis were raided by the policemen attached to Okokomaiko Police Station. The man was among those brought to the station for interrogation. A few minutes later, a woman stormed the station, claiming that her husband was among those arrested during the raid.
“She claimed that the man was sick and demanded that he should be released to her. The police obliged her and released her husband. They went home together. So, no one died within the police premises or was tortured to death.”
Also, five policemen attached to the Niger State Police Command have been arrested in connection with an alleged shooting of a villager, Ezekiel Aliyu, in Munya Local Government Area over N50.
It was learnt that three of the policemen are already facing "orderly trial" in connection with the incident while the remaining two would also be investigated after recuperating in the hospital where they were admitted after sustaining various injuries.
It was learnt that a scuffle occurred between the policemen and Aliyu over his refusal to give them N50 gratification during a "stop-and-search" operation.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mohammad Abubakar, confirmed the arrest and detention of the policemen.
Abubakar, however, denied that the incident was as a result of Aliyu refusing to give N50 bribe to the mobile policemen.
He said: “The police are not armed robbers, we cannot shoot anyone because of N50.
“The policemen stopped Ezekiel and asked that he should submit himself to a search which he refused to do.
“The mobile policemen became suspicious and insisted that he must be searched, a development which resulted in a scuffle and the police rifle exploded and hit Ezekiel.
“As a result of the accidental discharge, a mob later gathered which succeeded in disarming the mobile policemen and made away with a police rifle. But the rifle was later returned.”
Abubakar added that investigation into the incident had commenced, but that no arrest had been made.
In the meantime, Mr. John Bahago, the member representing Munya Local Government Area, where the incident occurred, insisted on the floor of the state House of Assembly that Aliyu was shot because he refused to give a N50 bribe to the mobile policemen.
Bahago, therefore, asked the state government to investigate the incident.
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