Policeman shoots man, mob attempt to burn police station in Lagos
Modupe Shodeinde
A Police Station located at the Ile-Epo area of Lagos on Monday was nearly set ablaze after a yet- to- be identified cop allegedly shot a motorcyclist.
It was gathered that the policeman arrested the motorcyclist for allegedly flouting the Traffic Law but went further to demand N30, 000 to release the victim.
Sources alleged that the motorcyclist told the cop he did not have such amount of money, which led to an argument between them.
It was however not clear if the policeman deliberately opened fire on the victim or the shooting was as a result of accidental discharge.
The motorcyclist colleagues who had gathered to avenge him, were said to have moved towards the police station but were prevented by security operatives deployed as reinforcement.
However still enraged, the mob had gone ahead to set fire at a dump site nearby, causing thick billowing smoke that fuelled rumours that the police station had been torched.
The Nations reported that varying accounts were given as the cause of the pandemonium.
An account indicated the clash was between the police and market boys, stating that one of the boys had attempted to snatch a policeman’s rifle when crisis broke out. In the process, a bullet was discharged, hitting the suspected hoodlum, who was immediately rushed to a hospital.
While some other sources said it was between the police and scavengers. It was alleged that the policemen had prevented them from scattering wastes as they usually do but one of them was recalcitrant.
The police command in a statement announced that normalcy has been restored but didn’t disclose the cause of the crisis and the state of the shot victim.
Spokesman for the command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, debunked rumour the police station was set ablaze.
