The Lagos State Police Command has detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Omotayo Olajide, after his firearm discharged during a police operation in Ajegunle, killing a girl and injuring another.
The incident occurred between 9:30pm and 10pm on Thursday, November 5, in the Nosamu area of Ajegunle, during a police response to a clash between two rival groups identified as the Nosamu Boys and Alayabiagba Boys.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the groups were reportedly fighting over toll collection and armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
According to the police, Olajide discharged his firearm during the operation, hitting the two girls.
Both victims were rushed to Ajeromi General Hospital. One was later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where she died. The other girl is receiving medical attention and is said to be in stable condition.
The deceased was identified as Omole Taiwo.
The police said the officer had been disarmed and detained, while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, visited the bereaved family to offer his condolences and assured them that the investigation would be thorough.
He also pledged that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal action.
The circumstances surrounding the firearm discharge, including whether it was intentional or accidental, are yet to be established by the investigation.