by ‘Jola Sotubo

A policeman in Lagos has reportedly shot and killed a resident of the Oshodi environs in the state. The police corporal was said to be part of a group of officers that responded to calls after news that a fight had broken out at a party reached them.

Azeez Omotoso, 35, was reportedly a resident of the house in front of which the event held and where a fight broke out which led to a visit by policemen attached to the Shogunle Police Station. Omotoso was then allegedly gunned down by the police officer.

According to the reports, the deceased, who was described as a youth leader in the area, did not attend the party but was drawn to the scene of the fracas by cries of help from one of the suspects apprehended by the police.

Vanguard Newspaper reports:

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the victim who did not attend the party, was coming home with his wife and three children when a yet-to-be identified man arrested by Police during the fracas called him for assistance.

The eyewitness told Vanguard that when the victim responded to the call, a police corporal identified as ‘Awilo,’ got infuriated over his presence and challenged the victim for interfering in a matter that did not concern him. He was said to have shot the victim, leaving him in a pool of his blood.

Meanwhile residents of Aina Street and other adjoining streets protested in front of the victim’s family house at No. 28 Aina Street, Oshodi, calling on Police authorities to ensure the trigger-happy policeman is brought to justice.

But news of the killing and subsequent protest in the area swiftly spread as a wide fire causing panic in the area.