The identity of an officer of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Lagos State Police Command, who shot a lady in the mouth on Thursday, October 8 has been revealed.
WITHIN NIGERIA understands that a video went viral on social media yesterday showing a young lady with blood on her face and over the ground after she was allegedly shot by a police officer.
Confirming the report in a statement on Friday, October 9, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noted that the incident was not in any way connected to the ongoing End SARS protest in the state.
According to Adejobi, the incident which took place at Salvation Bus Stop, Opebi, Ikeja Area of Lagos was as a result of a fierce argument between the victim and the officer whose name was later identified as Sergeant Eze Aiwansoba.
The PPRO statement reads: “At about 9.21 pm of Thursday, 8th October 2020, one Joy Eze living at Owonikoko Street, Idiagbon, College Road, Ogba, Lagos, was shot at the mouth by a policeman, who was later identified to be one Sergeant Eze Aiwansoba attached to the Special Protection Unit, Base 16, Ikeja, Lagos State, after a fierce argument between the duo who are in a relationship.
“As at the time of the incident, the identity of the policeman was unknown until the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, ordered the Divisional Police Officer, Ikeja, to trace the whereabouts of the victim, ascertain her health condition and get more information on the incident and identify the policeman for further necessary actions.
“Based on the preliminary investigation, the said police sergeant was off duty and not issued with a police rifle or arms as at the time of the incident, hence the Police’s concern on the ownership and/or possession of the arms he used in perpetrating the act.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the fleeing policeman, who is attached to another police formation within the state, be arrested by all means and made to face the consequences of his criminal act. While the CP condemns the act, the command will not in any way leave any stone unturned in getting justice for the victim and sustain the ethics and Standard Operating Procedure of the Nigeria Police Force; and protect the fundamental human rights of all and sundry across the state.”
“Similarly, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has appealed to all Lagosians especially protesters across the state, to maintain law and order while they embark on peaceful protests as the police will do everything possible not to infringe on their rights.”
Meanwhile, a storm of reactions by Nigerians has greeted a video of Obioma O. Obi, an officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) caught on camera assaulting unarmed #EndSARS protesters.