• DPO under investigation for alleged shooting of sergeant

A police Inspector, Charles Okoro, has been arrested for killing a Muslim cleric, Fatai Oladipupo, around Igando Road, Ikotun area of Lagos State. The Lagos State police spokesman, Bala Elkana, confirmed his arrest.

According to Elkana, the Lagos police command on Wednesday arrested Inspector Okoro Charles attached to Ikotun Division. The Inspector was arrested in connection with a shooting incident reported on that same day at about 10:05p.m., along Obabiyi, Igando Road, Ikotun, which led to the death of one Fatai Oladipupo, aged 28.

“The Inspector is already being subjected to internal disciplinary procedures, known as Orderly Room Trial at the State Provost Department and if found guilty, he would be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department Yaba for prosecution in a conventional court.

“Investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident. The Commissioner of Police condoles with the family and friends of the deceased and calls for calm. He assures them that justice would prevail. Members of the public will be updated on the outcome of the investigation”, he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has also commiserated with family of the late Sergeant Onalaja Onajide, attached to Ilemba Hausa Division, Ajangbadi and has assured them that justice would be served on the matter.

According to Bala, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the transfer of the case involving the shooting and killing of Sergeant Onajide to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for discreet investigation.

“This decision followed reports received by the command alleging the Divisional Police Officer Ilemba Hausa, CSP Yahaya Mohammed Adeshina, of shooting the Sergeant while dispersing crowds that gathered in front of the station.

“The DPO has been arrested and detained at the State CID for investigation. His rifle has been retrieved for forensic examination. The command has ordered that autopsy be carried out on the deceased person. The Commissioner of Police expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen colleague and assured them that the command will stand with them in this moment of grief and ensure that justice prevails.

“The shooting incident happened on May 10, at about 9:40pm. The report forwarded to the headquarters by the DPO on May 16, at about 4:00p.m. stated that unknown gunmen fired gunshots at the Divisional Police Officer, Ilemba Hausa and the Station Guard, Sergeant Onalaja Onajide, and that while the DPO survived the gunshot, the Station Guard did not.
“The DPO further reported that two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime. The two suspects initially arrested are suspected to be deserted soldiers. The command will hand them over to the military authority for further investigation”.