NPF disarmed and detained killer inspector, full-scale investigation begins

An inspector attached to the Ajah Police Division of the Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday shot a man, Gafaru Buraimoh, to death in the Ajah area of the state.

Buraimoh was on his way to buy fuel when he was struck by a bullet.

Angered by the incident, passersby and residents gathered around the scene to protest against the killing.

The situation was said to have degenerated, as the protesters stormed the Lekki-Epe Expressway to express their grievances.

The blockage of the road halted vehicular movements, creating gridlock that trapped motorists for hours on the expressway.

An eyewitness, Debby Brown, said policemen deployed in the area fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.

In a post on Twitter on Wednesday, Brown said people scampered to safety when the policemen started shooting, adding that the situation created tension in the area.

Using her handle @Debbyzdbee, she wrote, “This morning at about 8am, @PoliceNG murdered a young man in cold blood right in front of Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah.

“When the crowd gathered and started questioning the police taking pictures and making videos. These cowards brought their troops and started shooting teargas at people!

“Today, @PoliceNG not only disrupted the lives of innocent civilians, they almost caused a stampede. People were crossing the roads in a frenzy running from the very people meant to protect us. Shame on all of you.”

Brown, in one of the videos attached to the post, was heard saying the victim went to purchase fuel when the policemen allegedly shot him dead.

In another video attached to the post, policemen were seen shooting tear gas canisters at the protesters.

A Black Maria, three patrol vehicles and some armed policemen were seen in another video attached to Brown’s post.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Wednesday, said the command had disarmed and detained the policeman that perpetrated the crime.

Hundeyin said, “Around 11.30pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, a shooting incident involving men of the Ajah division resulted in the unfortunate death of one Gafaru Buraimoh, of Happy Land Estate, Ajah.

“The officer behind the shooting, an Inspector of Police, was immediately disarmed and has been detained, as a full-scale investigation has commenced.

“The Lagos State Police Command, through the Area Commander, Elemoro, and Divisional Police Officer, Ajah, has since notified and established contact with the family.”