“Policeman Shot Into The Air For Soldiers To Retreat – Police PRO

Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday gave an insight into what could have led to the killing of a police Inspector by soldiers last week in Ojo.

In a reaction to a comment by the former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Umar Thama Musa on Tuesday while answering reporters questions shortly after handing over to his successor, debunked the claim that police actually shot and wounded a soldier on his ear during a heated altercation.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin said “The fact remains that on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at the Trade Fair area of Lagos State, about thirty Privates of the Nigerian Army attacked five policemen for stopping vehicles along their lane to pave way for a heavy duty truck joining the expressway.

“After the soldiers had brutalized the ASP leading the team, taken out his magazine, and abducted two Inspectors with their rifles, the next Inspector they attempted to attack fired a single shot into the air – an act that made the soldiers retreat.

“The single shot was into the air. At no point was anyone hit. The Lagos State Police Command challenges the Army authorities to present the soldier allegedly shot.

He reiterated that the attention of the force was drawn to a report credited to Major General Umar Musa, outgoing GOC 81 Division, claiming that a ‘police officer shot at the soldier during the altercation which clipped him in the ear but narrowly missed his vital parts.’

“In as much as the Lagos State Police Command is in a grieving mood and has decided to toe the line of civility, it is pertinent to stand against misinformation.

SP Hundeyin further reiterated that, “While we mourn our fallen hero, and pray for the total recovery of the second abducted Inspector, we urge Nigerians to disregard the claim that a soldier was shot as there is absolutely no truth to it.

Meanwhile, “the Lagos State Police Command eagerly awaits the report of the panel of inquiry set up by the Nigerian Army to investigate the immediate and remote cause of the incident.

“The Command equally looks forward to the fishing out of the soldiers behind the torture and murder of Inspector Monday Orukpe; and the return of two AK47 rifles and three magazines carted away by the soldiers, in line with the pledge made by the Nigerian Army as conveyed by Brigadier-General KN Nwoko during a condolence visit to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi.

It would be recalled that the policeman was killed last week after an altercation resulting from blockage of the road, preventing soldiers a thoroughfare.

However, as the panel of investigation set up by the army to look into the remote cause is being expected, it is hoped that the outcomes of the reports will calm every nerve.