The Nigeria Police Force has launched a thorough investigation following a tragic incident in the Surulere area of Lagos State, where a policeman shot his colleague dead during a heated confrontation over a used phone.
The incident occurred on August 8, 2024, and has left the community and the police force in shock.
According to reports, the shooting involved police aides assigned to Barrister Wale Fapohunda.
The suspect, identified as Corporal Umar Lawal, who was attached to the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 10 in Sokoto, was allegedly attempting to shoot a fellow officer, Vincent, also known as “Dogman,” during a verbal altercation.
However, the bullet tragically struck another colleague, identified as Gabriel Audu, leading to his death.
A police report detailing the incident revealed that on the night of August 8, at approximately 10:22 p.m., the Control Room received an urgent report of the shooting.
The police officers involved in the incident were swiftly located at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where Corporal Lawal was apprehended.
The AK-47 rifle used in the shooting was also recovered at the scene.
During interrogation, Corporal Lawal reportedly confessed to the crime, explaining that the confrontation arose over a fairly used phone that he had purchased from Mr. Vincent.
The argument escalated, leading to the tragic outcome. Lawal admitted that his intention was to shoot Vincent, but the bullet instead struck Audu in the chest.
Efforts to save Audu’s life proved futile as he was pronounced dead at the LUTH General Hospital in Idi-Araba shortly after the shooting. His body has since been photographed and placed in the hospital morgue, where it awaits an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the conduct of police officers and the handling of firearms within the force.
The Nigeria Police Force has assured the public that the investigation will be conducted transparently and that justice will be served. The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.
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