* CP detains five among the shooters
Stanley Ihedigbo
The Lagos State Police Command has
arrested four sergeants and one Inspector for allegedly shooting to death
Adaobi Ifeanyi (21) and inflicting her boyfriend Emmanuel Akomafuwa, (32), with
bullet wound at the Wilmer area of Ajegunle.
The policemen were alleged to have
opened fire on the lovers just as they were returning from a nightclub. While
Adaobi died instantly, Akomafuwa survived and was rushed to the hospital.
The shooting of the couple and
subsequent death of Adaobi came about two weeks after Kolade Johnson, a South
Africa returnee was shot to death by policemen from Anti-Cultism Unit at
Onipetesi, Mangoro, Abeokuta Expressway, while he was watching Liverpool match
at a viewing centre with some friends.
A source said: “The policemen opened
fire on the lovers at about 7am, while they were returning from a nightclub.
The victims were rushed to hospital, where Ada was confirmed dead. Emmanuel is
presently battling for his life.
The Lagos State Police Public
Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, yesterday, said that the five
policemen had been arrested in connection with the incident, while Inspector
Dania Ojo, the sixth policemen, alleged to be part of those that committed the
crime, had absconded.
A source close to Adaobi’s family
disclosed: “Adaobi and her boyfriend were on their way from a nightclub
Saturday morning, when they were waved down by policemen. When the boyfriend, being the driver didn’t
immediately stop, the police gave a chase and caught up with the vehicle. The
police shot the young man on the head. The young lady, seeing that her
boyfriend had been shot, raised her voice at the policemen, who promptly shot
her also. Adaobi died instantly on the spot, while Emmanuel is still alive.”
Our correspondent gathered that
Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Trinity Police Station on Saturday
night paid Adaobi’s father a condolence visit.
It was further learnt that the Lagos
State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, has invited the father of the late
lady to his office for discussion.
The five policemen, Inspector
Adamu Usman, Sergeant Adeyeye Adeoye, Sergeant Kashim Tijani, Sergeant
Lucky Akigbe and Sergeant Paul Adeoye have been arrested. A six policeman,
Inspector Dania Ojo, who escaped after the shooting, has been declared wanted
by the Command.
Elkana said that the shooting of Adaobi
and Akomafuwa happened on 13th April at about 7.00am.
Elkana said: “The victims were
rushed to hospital and Adaobi was confirmed dead while Akomafuwa is currently
on admission, receiving treatment from the injury he sustained as a result of
the shooting.”
The image maker further added: “Members
of the team suspected to be involved in the shooting are from Trinity Police
Station and are currently facing internal disciplinary proceedings at the command
headquarters Ikeja. Their rifles have been retrieved for forensic analysis by
Ballisticians. If found wanting, they will be prosecuted in conventional Court
for Murder.
“Lagos State Police Command
condemned in total these senseless killings of unarmed civilians by few ‘bad
eggs’ in the force, who are bent on denting the image and reputation of the
Nation's Police Force. The Command will not relent in its efforts in ridding
the force of these criminal elements. Those involved in extra judicial killings
and abuse of power are promptly identified, isolated, tried through internal
disciplinary proceedings, dismissed from service and prosecuted in conventional
Courts. Within the last one month, Lagos State Police Command has
dismissed four policemen for abuse of power and conducts unbecoming of police officers
and awarded various degrees of punishments to 41 others. The four dismissed policemen
were charged to court and remanded in prison custody. Our collective resolve in
building a more humane, professional, dedicated, and courageous and people
oriented Police Force is a task that must be done together. We can make it a
reality.”
According to Elkama, the CP has
extended the Command's deepest condolences to the family and friends of Adaobi
and promised to foot the medical bills of Akomafuwa.
"The CP calls for calm as the
Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice prevails,"
said Elkana.
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