A yet-to-be-identified police officer has allegedly killed an admission seeker, Monsurat Ojuade, in Lagos State.
According to The PUNCH,18-year-old Ojuade was shot dead around the Ijeshatedo area of Lagos State around 11.35 pm on Friday.
Tosin Ojuade, one of deceased’s sisters, said Monsurat and her sister were about to close their mother’s provision shop, which is close to the house, when they saw people running helter-skelter.
She said the sisters ran into the house, and while their mother who was washing clothes in the compound wanted to close the gate, a police officer tried to force the gate open from outside.
She said the mother heard a gunshot, and the bullet pierced through the deceased’s thighs.
Tosin also disclosed that the deceased celebrated her 18th birthday on August 11, and was processing admission to a tertiary institution.
Ojuade was said to have sat for the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and scored 236.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the admission seeker’s killing, saying that an officer has been arrested and detained in relation to the development.
The police command made this known in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, titled, ‘Shooting incident at Ijeshatedo: Erring police officer arrested, detained’.
The statement read, “It has come to the knowledge of the Lagos State Police Command that one Monsurat Ojuade (female) aged 18, was hit by a stray bullet at about 0100hrs of
11th September, 2021 when a team of detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti went on investigation activities to effect arrest of a robbery suspect in Ijeshatedo area of the State.
“Concerted efforts were made to save the life of the injured victim. She was immediately taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention but later died on the way to the hospital.
“The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, regrets this unfortunate but avoidable incident and sincerely commiserates with the bereaved family in whose pain he shares in this moment of grief.
“This is, therefore, to inform the bereaved family, sympathizers and the general public that the erring Police officer who pulled the trigger has been identified and is currently being detained.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the said police officer should be tried and charged to court immediately after being dismissed from the Force.
“This, it is believed, will serve as deterrent to others who do not act professionally in the course of their duties.
“This singular sad incident notwithstanding, the Lagos State Police Command shall continue to strive vigorously and conscientiously to protect the lives of property of the citizens in the State.”
But why ?
Are our policemen becoming mad dogs?
The police have put sorrow on the family but why?
It is not enough to dismiss him and charge him to court, but justice must be done. Most of these policemen are drunkards and so they become mad dogs most of the time.
The family must be compensated adequately
May her soul rest in peace