The Lagos State Police Command has detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Omotayo Olajide, following a shooting incident that claimed the life of a two-year-old girl and left another child injured in Ajegunle, Lagos.
The incident occurred between 9.30pm and 10pm on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in the Nosamu area of Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The deceased, identified as Omole Taiwo, reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the incident and later died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where she was transferred after receiving initial treatment.
The second girl, who was also hit by bullets, is receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and is said to be in stable condition.
The incident sparked tension in the community following reports that the children were allegedly shot by a police officer attached to the Ajeromi Police Station.
However, the police command said preliminary findings indicated that Olajide and other officers had been deployed to the area after receiving a distress call over a violent clash between two rival groups identified as Nosamu Boys and Alayabiagba Boys.
According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the groups were allegedly fighting over toll collection and were armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons when the police team arrived.
Adebisi said that during the operation, Olajide discharged his firearm, and the bullets struck the two girls.
“Both victims were initially rushed to Ajeromi General Hospital, but the deceased was subsequently transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where she later died,” she said.
The command disclosed that the officer was immediately disarmed and detained, while the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) had taken over the investigation.
The police said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and determine the appropriate legal and disciplinary action.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, expressed sadness over the incident and said the detention of the officer and transfer of the case to the SCID were intended to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
Fatai, who visited the bereaved family to offer his condolences, assured them that justice would be served, adding that no officer found culpable would be shielded.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives, professionalism and accountability, while urging anyone with useful information about the incident to report to the nearest police station or the command’s Public Relations Department.