The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that one of its officers, ASP Omotayo Olajide, is in custody after a shooting in the Ajegunle area of Lagos left a young girl, Omole Taiwo, dead and another girl injured.
What happened in Nosamu
According to the command, the incident took place on Thursday in the Nosamu area of Ajegunle, during a violent confrontation between two rival groups. The command's spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said in a statement issued on Saturday that the groups, known as the Nosamu Boys and the Alayabiagba Boys, were fighting over toll collection.
The statement said the groups were reportedly carrying cutlasses and other dangerous weapons. ASP Olajide was deployed to the scene because of the clash.
On arrival, the officer allegedly fired his weapon, and the bullets hit two girls, according to the police account. The claim is an allegation at this stage, and the investigation is meant to establish the exact sequence of events.
Hospital and death
Adebisi said both girls were first taken to Ajeromi General Hospital. One was later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, where she died. The other girl is receiving medical attention and is reported to be in stable condition.
Police response
The command expressed sympathy over the death. The statement said: "The Command is deeply saddened by the loss of a young and innocent life and shares in the grief of the bereaved family."
It added: "ASP Olajide has been disarmed and detained, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for a thorough and impartial investigation."
The statement continued: "The inquiry will establish exactly what happened and determine the appropriate legal and disciplinary action. The Command will keep the public informed of its progress."
The report, carried by Daily Post Nigeria, does not say whether the officer has given his own account, nor whether any members of the rival groups were arrested. The outcome of the SCID investigation is awaited.
