Irate mob protesting death of youth kills policeman in Lagos
Joy Anyim, Lagos
A policeman attached to Area G command Ogba, Sergeant Esiabor Collins with service number 260326, was on Wednesday killed by irate mob along College Road Ijaiye, Ogba area of Lagos.
An eyewitness who was at rhe scene of the incident said the mob were protesting the death of a youth on Wednesday, whom they claimed died following an encounter with the police two weeks back.
Collins who was with a police patrol team stationed at a black spot in the aforementioned location was sitted in the patrol vehicle when he was attacked and killed.
According to eyewitness account, “ on wednesday morning, we saw a large crowd made up of mainly young boys. They were carrying palnks, machetes, bottles with the picture of a young man they cla8med was killed by tje police.
“ They matched to the Area G Command singing and shouting but thank God for the wisdom of the Area Commander and other officers, they were told to be patoent as the police will investigate the alleged killing and bring all involved to book.
“ To show that the plea of the Area Commander had fallen on deaf ears, the youth while returning back saw a police patrol vehicle, rushed to it. They took out their anger on the police man, they killed him.”
Speaking, the Lagos Police Spokesperson, CSP Chike Oti said, “ On Wednesday, August 29th, 2018, at about 11 am, at College Road, Ifako Ijaiye, Ogba, Lagos, a police patrol team stationed at a black spot in the location was attacked by an irate mob for a yet to be determined reason.
“ In the process, Sergeant Collins was attacked and killed. Also, the patrol vehicle was not spared by the rampaging mob which they vandalised.
“ Preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that the mob, mainly youths had earlier that morning gone to Area ‘G’ Command, Ogba with the intention to overrun the police formation and commit arson but found it impregnable.
“However, the Area Commander in-charge, spoke to them, promising to cause an 3 into their grievances which bothered on the death of a yo3uth who allegedly died on Wednesdy, two weeks after an alleged encounter with some policemen.”
Oti however stated that the police authorities in the state are unaware of any earlier encounter with the deceased as no formal complaint was received to that effect.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal who frawned at the act noted that the penchant to take laws into own hands by some people who easily constitute themselves into a mob is becoming worrisome to say the least.
Speaking, Edgal said five person have been arrested in connection to the act. “The Command wishes to state that the deceased officer and indeed the entire patrol team had the option of defending themselves with their firearms against the mob but chose to show restraint in face of provocation but unfortunately the rampaging mob never allowed them that option hence Sgt. Collins paid the supreme price.
“ Policemen in the state had on several occasions shown restraints in the face of provocative actions. He therefore warns that policemen may be forced to use their firearms to defend themselves, other people about being killed by a mob and in the protection of government assets.”
He therefore urged parents to warn their children to refrain from such acts which according to him may lead to a breach of the peace and unnecessary bloodletting.
