5 cops arrested over killing at nightclub
Five police officers attached to Akinpelu Police Station have been arrested over the shooting at a nightclub which claimed the life of a 27-year-old customer, one Maliki Mohammed.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered for the arrest of the officers when the news of the shooting incident first broke out.
It was learnt that the shooting incident occurred on November 29 at Crest Inn Club, No. 28/30 Balogun street, Oshodi, Lagos.
The police officers allegedly being detained were identified as Inspector Orubu Olusola,
Inspector Apalowo Ola, Inspector Kasai Sule, Sergeant Momoh Ogwuche and Sergeant Adoga Collins.
It was also learnt that two other persons also sustained injuries from the shooting incident.
It was further learnt that the policemen had allegedly arrived the nightclub at about 8.30pm and started shooting sporadically into the air and that the deceased got hit by one of the bullets.
Spokesman of the police in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, said that in their statement, the team alleged that they were at the club in response to a complaint made by one Makinde Omowunmi Abibat ‘f’ of No. 9
Olaore Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi at Akinpelu Police Station.
He said that the policemen alleged that the complainant claimed that she was assaulted at the club and that they were attacked by some hoodlums while trying to effect an arrest.
He said that the policemen further claimed that the attack on them by the hoodlums necessitated their use of firearms.
DSP Elkana stated that their explanation, however, fell short of the provision of Force Order 237, which defined the circumstances in which a police officer will be justified to use his firearms and the use of force.
He said that the police officers involved are already facing internal disciplinary proceedings known as Orderly Room Trial at the Provost Department of the Command, adding that if found guilty, they would be handed over to the conventional court for prosecution.
Elkana added that 11 suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged attack on the team and the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the case.
The CP empathized with the families of the deceased person and the injured ones. He called on the good people of Lagos State to remain calm as justice would not only be done but would be seen to be done.