By Bose Adelaja

LAGOS—Tragedy struck, Tuesday, at Akowonjo area of Lagos as an unidentified policeman in mufti allegedly shot a tricycle (Keke Marwa) operator to death. It was learned that the policeman boarded the tricycle at Kareem Laka Street en route Unity Estate, but was held down for some time due to traffic gridlock.

Hakeem-shot-dead-by-police

Vanguard gathered that the Divisional Police Officer, Yaba Division, is a relative of the deceased. An eyewitnesses’ account said the policeman, who could not withstand the situation, asked the tricycle operator to find his way to the main road at all cost, which almost led to a collision with another tricycle and an argument ensued.

The deceased, identified as Akeem, was said to have intervened between the cop and the tricycle operator, but was attacked by the policeman. An eyewitness, Isiaka Yekini, said after pummelling the deceased, the policeman shot him in the chest. He died instantly. He said people ran helter-skelter as the deceased bled to death.

Another witness, Rahman Lawal, said the unidentified policeman threatened to shoot anyone who dared to come near him and then fled the scene. Some sympathizers, who claimed the policeman lived in Unity Estate, said he was a superior officer with two stars. At press time, the matter had been incidented at Area ‘M’ Command. Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, said the suspect was yet to be apprehended.