Pandemonium as Police Allegedly Kill Pedestrian in Lagos

Lagos PRO, Braide

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Pandemonium erupted at Haruna Street,  Ikorodu, Lagos, yesterday morning when a four-men police team attached to Owutu Police Division allegedly killed a pedestrian simply identified as Baba Peace.

 In a similar development,  a bus driver fleeing from officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), knocked down two pedestrian at Ketu bus stop, Lagos.

Also fingered in the death of Baba Peace was a yet-to-be identified bus driver, in an incident that left several others with varying degrees of injuries. It was gathered that the police officers who were on routine patrol had tried to intercept a commercial bus driver for allegedly driving against traffic.

According to eyewitness account, the bus driver who was being chased from Agric Bustop, was speeding towards Ikorodu town uncontrollably while police in their white pick-up van  pursued him.

It was gathered that the deceased who was standing by the roadside was knocked down by the bus driver who was fleeing recklessly to evade arrest and crushed by the tyres of the police vehicle. 

According to eyewitness account, the wife, who had just escorted him to the junction on his way to work was dazed and had to be taken home by sympathisers as she seemed to be in shock.

To avoid lynching, the policemen were said to have  fled towards Wahab Avenue right through to Bolaji Benson Street before escaping to Marwa Estate.

Enraged youths had given chase but were turned off when the policemen released hails of bullets to scare them away. The officers had allegedly parked inside a compound before calling for reinforcement.

Although one of the officers had changed to mufti and attempted to flee, he was recognised and held till reinforcement came. 

Meanwhile, the body of the deceased, which was left on the road while the entire melee lasted, was later taken by some police officers who also came from Owutu Police Division.

Meanwhile, the two pedestrians, a male and female, who were knocked down at Ketu, were said to have sustained severe injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The state police command Deputy Public Relations Officer, Mr. Damasus Ozoani, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, could not be reached for comment.