5 policemen trouble for killing 20 –yr- old girl in Lagos
By Chioma Joseph, Lagos
Five policemen have been arrested and detained following the shooting to death of a 20 -year -old girl, Ada Ifeanyi on Saturday morning.
The deceased it was learnt had on Friday night gone clubbing with her lover, Emmanuel Akomafuwa. They were driving back home at about 6 am on Saturday, when the policemen on mufti accosted them.
Suspecting the men who were holding guns were robbers, the lovers who were in company of a friend, drove off. Emmanuel drove straight to Ada’s house on No 4b Amusa Lane, off Ojo Road Ajegunle. However, unknown to the lovers, the policemen had trailed the vehicle, waited for the occupants to step out and then opened fire on them.
Ada was shot twice in the belly and died immediately while the 32 -year -old Emmanuel who was shot on the head is currently battling for survival.
Investigation revealed that the six -man police team involved in the act were from Trinity Police Division.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Elkana Bala, said the suspects have been arrested.
Giving further details, the PPRO identified the suspects as Inspector Adamu Usman, Sergeant Adeyeye Adeoye, Sergeant Kashim Tijani, Sergeant Lucky Akigbe and Sergeant Paul Adeoye. He gave the identity of the sixth officer who is on the run as Inspector Dania Ojo.
According to Bala, the officers are currently facing internal disciplinary proceedings, saying that the state police commissioner has ordered the immediate arrest and detention of the police officers suspected to be involved in the shooting.
“The incident happened on April 13 at about 7.00am. The victims were rushed to hospital and Ada was confirmed dead while Emmanuel is currently receiving treatment from the injury he sustained as a result of the shooting.
“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,” the police image-maker added.
Bala, who strongly condemned the killing said the command will not shield any of its men who intends to dent the image of the police, saying they will be punished as stipulated by the law.
He said that “the Lagos state police command condemns in total these senseless killings of unarmed civilians by few bad eggs in the command, who are bent towards denting the image and reputation of the police.
“The command will not relent in its efforts in ridding the force off these criminal elements. Those involved in extra- judicial killings and abuse of power will be promptly identified, isolated, tried through internal disciplinary proceedings, dismissed from service and prosecuted in conventional courts.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu has extended the command’s deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and has promised to foot the medical bills of Emmanuel.
He however, called for calm, saying the command will leave no stone untouched in ensuring that justice prevails.
