Protest rocks Lagos community as cops gun down motorcyclist

Residents of Onosa community in the Elemoro, Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State, on Friday, took to the streets over alleged shooting of yet-to-be-identified commercial motorcyclists by some trigger-happy policemen.

the protesters mounted roadblocks and set up bonfires along the roads, which hindered the free flow of traffic.

Some eyewitnesses stated that the alleged killing of a motorcyclist in the community, Muazu Abdullahi, sparked the protest, which lasted for several hours.

In a video seen by one of our correspondents on X, many of the protesters were heard shouting “Police Ole” (thief) repeatedly, while the police were moving away from the angry crowd.

Smoke from the bonfires billowed into the air as the protesters marched along the road to express their anger over the incident.

One of the protesters, in a video, said the incident happened on Thursday night when police officers reportedly attempted to seize motorcycles from the riders.

He alleged that the victim died after being shot by the policemen.

The police officers attempted to seize their motorcycles, but the riders resisted. In the process, the officers opened fire, killing one of the bikemen instantly,” he said.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated via his X account that the roads had been reopened.

He added that the state Commissioner of Police led a team of officers to the scene to restore normalcy in the area.

Hundeyin wrote, “The hitherto blocked roads on Lekki-Epe expressway have been opened! Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a detachment of police officers and dislodged the barricades.

“Traffic is now moving. CP Jimoh is currently holding talks with youth and community leaders to ensure the sustenance of the restored normalcy.”

However, Hundeyin in a statement shared, stated that six officers from Elemoro Division while on routine patrol encountered an irate mob.

He explained that in the course of ensuring their safety, the officers used firearms, resulting in three individuals sustaining injuries, adding that the injured persons were taken to hospital for medical attention.

The swift intervention led to the removal of all barricades, restoring the free flow of traffic in the affected area. CP Jimoh also moved deep into the community and engaged with youth and community leaders in the neighborhood to de-escalate tensions and foster understanding. He has further extended an invitation to these leaders for continued dialogue to address concerns and prevent future occurrences.

“The officers involved in the shooting have been taken into custody as investigations into the incident commence. The Lagos State Police Command is committed to a thorough and transparent inquiry to establish the facts surrounding the event.

“Normalcy has been restored to the area, and significant police presence remains in place to ensure the sustenance of the restored peace and order. The Command urges residents to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement, and refrain from actions that could disrupt public safety. Further updates will be provided as the investigations progress.”