The Lagos State Police Command, on Sunday, confirmed the arrest of the police officer allegedly responsible for killing a Makoko traditional ruler.
A statement signed by the Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, revealed that Cpl. Pepple Boma, posted on Special Duty to the State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) for demolition exercise at the waterfront of Makoko area, Yaba, had been arrested.
According to the statement, Boma allegedly shot the deceased, who was identified as Timothy Agbe, in the stomach.
“The corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital, Ikeja for post-mortem examination, while the suspect has been arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba,” the statement read.
“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to use this medium to appeal to Lagosians to maintain peace and remain calm as justice must be done in this case. Investigation has however commenced in the matter, please.”
The incident occurred on Saturday, during the controversial demolition of shanties at the coastal community of Makoko and Iwaya water front.
Agbe, who was the Itun-baale of Egun Makoko, was killed while trying to prevent officers monitoring the exercise from setting some property in the community ablaze.
In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, launched an e-mail address to enable the public communicate directly with his office.
According to the police, the address, [email protected], serves as a platform to “promote access to justice, transparency and accountability in matters relating to policing and general crime fighting.”
Along with providing information on criminal activities and offering tip-offs to the police, the public was also encouraged to use the e-mail to report the conduct of police personnel or those of other law enforcement agencies “involved in corrupt and other forms of unlawful acts.”
The police, however, warned that the e-mail address should not be used to provide “false, malicious or deliberately misleading information to the Force”, warning that such actions may attract reprimand and prosecution.
Abubakar assured that senders of e-mails would be guaranteed confidentiality.
Source:Daily Times