The Police Command in Lagos State has detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) over the fatal shooting of a young girl and injury of another in Nosamu area of Ajegunle, Lagos.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.
Adebisi said the incident occurred on Thursday between 9.30 p.m. and 10.00 p.m., when the ASP allegedly discharged his firearm during a police operation.
She identified the deceased as Omole Taiwo, adding that another girl sustained injuries in the incident.
The PPRO said preliminary findings showed that the officer was deployed to the area following a distress call over a violent clash between two rival groups over toll collection.
“The ASP was deployed to the area following violent clash between Nosamu Boys and Alayabiagba Boys, over toll collection.
“The rival groups were armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
“During the operation, the officer discharged his firearm, and the bullet struck the two girls, ” she said.
Adebisi said that both victims were initially rushed to Ajeromi General Hospital, while one was later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where she eventually died.
She said that the other victim was receiving medical attention and was in stable condition.
According to her, the officer has been disarmed and detained, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough and impartial investigation.
The image maker said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine appropriate legal and disciplinary actions.
The PPRO said that the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, had personally visited the bereaved family to express his condolences.
“Tijani assured the family that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, justice will be done, and no personnel found culpable will be shielded from accountability.
“The CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and conducting the investigation with professionalism, transparency and accountability, ” she said.
Adebisi urged the public with useful information to assist the investigation to report to the nearest police station or the command’s Public Relations Department.
She said the command extended its condolences to the family of the deceased.