Igando Killing: Trigger-Happy Inspector Nabbed as Lagos CP Beams Light on Alleged Killing of Sergeant by DPO

From Felix Mordi

The police inspector who allegedly shot and killed one Fatai Oladipupo at Obabiyi area on Igando Road, Ikotun on May 20, 2020, has been arrested.

Disclosing this in a press statement, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, said the alleged trigger-happy cop, attached to Ikotun Police Divisional Headquarters, was arrested the same day he committed the beastly act and currently undergoing Orderly Room Trial at the state Provost Department.

According to the PPRO, "If found guilty, he will be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for prosecution in a conventional court".

He said the Inspector was arrested in connection with the shooting incident reported on 20/5/2020 at about 2205, along Obabiyi, Igando Road, Ikotun which led to the death of 28-year-old victim, adding that investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Meanwhile, according to Elkana, the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has commiserated with the family and friends of the deceased and called for calm, even as he assured them that Justice would prevail.

Odumosu iterated that the outcome of the investigation would be made public

In a related development, CP Odumosu has ordered the state Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, to take over the case of alleged killing of Sergeant Onalaja Onajide, attached to the Ilemba Hausa Division by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Yahaya Mohammed Adeshina.

The state PPRO stated in a press release that the Command took the step sequel to reports received by the Command alleging the DPO of orchestrating the killing by shooting the Sergeant while dispersing crowds that gathered in front of the station.

He said the DPO has been arrested and detained at the state CID for investigation, while his rifle has been retrieved for forensic examination.

Recalling the sad incident, which took place on May 10, 2020, at about 9:40pm, the statement revealed that the report forwarded to the police headquarters by the DPO on 16/5/2020, at about 1500hours, was to the effect that unknown gunmen fired gunshots at him (the DPO) and the Station Guard, Sergeant Onalaja Onajide, and that while the DPO survived the gunshot, the Station Guard, did not.

"The DPO further reported that two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime. The two suspects initially arrested are suspected to be deserted soldiers. The Command will hand them over to the military authority for further investigation", the statement added.

However, the Command has ordered an autopsy to be carried out on the late sergeant, just as the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen colleague and assured them that the Command would stand by them in this moment.