The Nigeria Police Force is investigating a tragic shooting incident that occurred in the Surulere area of Lagos State on Thursday.
The shooting, involving police aides assigned to a lawyer, Wale Fapohunda, left one person dead and another injured.
The incident took place around 10:22 p.m. when Corporal Umar Lawal, a police officer attached to SPU Base 10 Sokoto and assigned to Barrister Wale Fapohunda, reportedly fired his weapon.
The victim, identified as Gabriel Audu, was pronounced dead at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) shortly after the shooting.
According to the police report, the altercation that led to the shooting began with a verbal dispute over a used phone.
Corporal Lawal was engaged in a heated argument with a man named Vincent, also known as Dogman, over a used phone Vincent had sold to him.
During the confrontation, Lawal attempted to shoot Vincent but accidentally hit Gabriel Audu instead.
The bullet struck Audu in the chest, and despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at LUTH General Hospital Idi-Araba.
The police report confirms that the suspect’s rifle, an AK-47, was recovered at the scene. Corporal Lawal has confessed to the crime, stating that he had intended to shoot Vincent during their argument but accidentally shot Audu.
Following the incident, police teams quickly responded to the scene. They apprehended Corporal Lawal and took him into custody for further investigation.
The police have photographed Audu’s body, which has been placed in the hospital morgue for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
This tragic event underscores the need for better training and oversight of police personnel, especially those entrusted with sensitive duties.
As investigations continue, the Nigeria Police Force is expected to provide more details and updates on the case.
