Extra-Judicial Killing: Counsel Petitions Lagos CP

Lagos PRO, DSP Ngozi Braide

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Following the alleged murder of one Afeez Obalanlege by some policemen attached to the Area M Command, Idimu area of Lagos State, on January 21, 2013, the legal counsel, MO Babalola, hired by his family has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, to investigate the matter.

Pandemonium had erupted at Ikotun area of the state as one person, Afeez was killed while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries on after policemen and suspected hoodlums clashed in Ikotun area of Lagos.

It was learnt that trouble started in the afternoon after a team of policemen from Area 'M' command, Idimu, stormed an Indian hemp joint around Agbole area of Ikotun to  arrest of some suspected hoodlums.

According to a reliable source, a fight ensued between both parties as the hoodlums resisted arrest. It was learnt that in the process , one of the policemen allegedly fired a shot which killed one of the suspects on the spot.

However at about 4pm, youths numbering over hundred, said to be armed with dangerous weapons , was said to have stormed Ikotun division to protest the death of one of their own. Hoodlums reportedly hijacked the situation, as they attempted to burn down the station.

In his petition which accused one Inspector Iyamu of being the brain behind the shooting, Babalola said the deceased was shot by policemen who stormed his father's compound.

The petition reads in part, "On the morning of that day, a team of policemen numbering about four from Area M Police Command, Idimu came to the Odosalu compound in Ikotun. 

"Afeez was outside eating when the officers arrived. Since everybody was running, he also ran  when he saw that the officers were running after him. He ran into his father's house but the policemen caught him and started beating him.

"Even when the deceased's father asked of his son's offence, they did not reply rather they continued to beat him with the butt of their gun till he died. It was only when he slumped that the officers left in the vehicle they came with.