The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed three policemen for allegedly shooting at youths, a situation that resulted in the death of a youth on Ifelodun Street in the Amukoko area of the state during a scuffle.
It was gathered that the policemen were on patrol in the area on Thursday when they sighted the youth drinking and smoking during a party.
While attempting to arrest them, some of the residents reportedly resisted the policemen.
The action was said to have led to a face-off between the youth and the policemen, who insisted on making the arrests.
“The youths mobilised and threw stones, sticks and bottles at them. The policemen, who could have used tear gas, started shooting into the crowd. At least two youths were hit. While one died on the spot, one other is receiving treatment in a hospital,” a source said.
The policemen were said to have been arrested and tried for the offence.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, identified the cops as Sgt. Osaseri Saturday, with force number 25759: Sgt. Segun Okun, with force number 359075;and Cpl. Adekunle Oluwarotimi with force number 496833.
He said they had faced an orderly room trial where it was discovered that they didn’t follow the police rules of engagement.
He said, “The general public is hereby informed that three policemen attached to Amukoko division have been tried and dismissed from the Nigeria Police for breaching the rules of engagement to wit, reckless application of firearms.
“The non-commissioned officers committed the offence on Thursday, January 11, 2018, at about 9.30pm on Ifelodun Street, Amukoko, Lagos State when they disproportionately responded with bullets fired from their weapons at some youths alleged to have hurled some non-ballistic missiles, such as stones, sticks and bottles, at them, leading to the death of one of the youths and injury on another.
“They were arrested, detained and tried immediately on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, CP Edgal Imohimi. The guilty verdict was passed on them by the adjudicating officer who considered that the officers did not appreciate the situation critically and ought not to have applied the maximum force on the unruly youths.
“Meanwhile, the officers will be charged to court next week, while a duplicate copy of the case file would be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.”
*With reports from Punch*
