By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The report of a police Sergeant named Onalaja Onajide, allegedly killed by some fake soldiers in Lagos has taken a new dimension, as the Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu ordered the arrest of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), of Ilemba Hausa over the incident.
The action of the Police Commissioner is consequent upon a report alleging the Divisional Police Officer Ilemba Hausa, CSP Yahaya Mohammed Adeshina, of shooting the Sergeant while dispersing crowd that gathered in front of the station.
As widely reported in the media, the DPO had last Saturday reported to the Headquarters that unknown gunmen fired gunshots at him and the Station Guard, Sergeant Onalaja Onajide.
That while he survived the gunshot, the Station Guard did not and that two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.
The two suspects initially arrested are suspected to be deserted soldiers.
The Police Public Relations Officer DSP Bala Elkana confirmed the development, saying the DPO is being detained at the State CID for investigation.
Elkana added that his rifle has been retrieved for forensic examination, while autopsy will be carried out on the deceased cop.
He added that the suspected deserted soldiers earlier arrested in connection with the incident will be handed over to the military authority for further investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc has ordered the transfer of the case involving the shooting and killing of Sergeant Onalaja Onajide attached to Ilemba Hausa Division, to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for discreet investigation.
This decision followed the reports received by the Command alleging the Divisional Police Officer Ilemba Hausa, CSP Yahaya Mohammed Adeshina, of shooting the Sergeant while dispersing crowds that gathered in front of the Station.
The DPO is arrested and detained at the Sate CID for investigation. His rifle is retrieved for forensic examination. The Command has ordered that autopsy be carried out on the deceased person.
The Commissioner of Police expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen colleague and assured them that the Command will stand with them in this moment of grief and ensure that justice prevails.
The shooting incident happened on 10/5/2020 at about 2140hours. The report forwarded to the Headquarters by the DPO on 16/5/2020 at about 1500hours, stated that unknown gunmen fired gunshots at the Divisional Police Officer, Ilemba Hausa and the Station Guard, Sergeant Onalaja Onajide.
That while the DPO survived the gunshot, the Station Guard did not. The DPO further reported that two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.
The two suspects initially arrested are suspected to be deserted soldiers. The Command will hand them over to the military authority for further investigation”.
