The Lagos State Police Command has disclosed that in addition to Sergeant Alowonle Razaq, who shot nine-year old Timileyin Ebun, four other policemen have been arrested in connection with the said crime.
Rasaq with force number 203693, who was identified as the shooter, had earlier been arrested on Thursday, after the deceased's father, Olusegun Ebun, took the corpse of his deceased son to the station.
Ebun was shot dead by a stray bullet by police officers at the Mile 12 area of Lagos, when he was returning from the airport with father, after picking up one of his brother's who came in from Canada.
While attempting to arrest a commercial bus driver who was trying to evade arrest, the policemen were said to have released some shots into the air which accidentally hit the deceased in his father's car.
Confirming the detention of five policemen at the holding cell of the X Squad, the state Deputy Public Relations Officer, Chukwuma Ozoani, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said investigations are ongoing.
He said, "Currently we have five policemen in the cell in connection with the said act. Contrary to claims, it was not accidental discharge rather it was a stray bullet that killed the young boy.
"The fate of the policemen will be determined after investigations have been concluded. The case has been transferred at the X Squad and the family will be called in due time."
When contacted, the deceased's father said all he wants is justice for his dead son. He said, "All I want is justice. I don't want compensation because I know that one is not realisable. I want justice because the police are trigger happy.
"Up until now, the police have not gotten in contact with us although we tried to see the Commissioner of Police. We were referred to a senior officer when the divisional police officer proved arrogant and cold to our plight."
He added, "My son was playing computer games as he was wont to when the policemen released the bullet and it went right through the windscreen right into my son's eye. It killed him instantly.
"Even though I knew he couldn't have survived the hit, I still took him to a nearby clinic where he was confirmed dead. I carried him on my shoulders to the police station but they refused to attend to me till a friend mediated."
No comments:
Post a Comment