DPO shoots man dead, injure others in Lagos

A trigger-happy Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on Sunday night shot dead a fashion designer, Jamiu Ayoade and injured two others.

The incident occurred at Ijeshatedo around 7pm.

It was gathered that the DPO shot Ayoade, who was at a friend’s (Abubakar Animashaun) birthday party with his lover, at close range.

He was said to have shot him because the youths at the party refused to run at the sight of policemen.

The DPO, it was gathered, alighted his vehicle, walked up to the victim and shot him on the head, killing him on the spot.

Those who sustained injuries were said to have been hit by stray bullet.

According to witnesses, the killer cop had stormed the area with some of his subordinates in two patrol vehicles.

As if acting on information, the source said they got to the venue the first time, observed what was happening, left and returned to the venue before going berserk.

While one of his officers was said to have shot in the air, the DPO, it was gathered marched to the place Ayoade sat in anger and shot him.

According to residents, if any of the youths had fled at the sound of the first gunshot from the police, they would have been arrested and branded criminals.

They said the policemen would have taken them to their station and demanded money for their bail from their relatives.

There was a bloodstain on the floor of the house where Ayoade was killed on Monday morning, with residents condemning the manner in which he was killed.

According to Jelili Bakare, whose brother was the celebrant, the killer DPO called for reinforcement after the shooting.

He said: “My brother was having a low key party with his friends at our late father’s house when the DPO and his men stormed the place. It was around 6:30pm that they came first. The DPO called one Mama Aliyat, a woman on the street and they left.

“Surprisingly, the policemen came back to the street after some minutes. One of the officers, who followed the DPO shot in the air, thinking that some of the youths would run away.

“But when they didn’t run, the DPO came down from his vehicle angrily and went to where Ayoade was sitting in the corridor. He shot him in the head at close range.

“After the shooting, the DPO called for reinforcement from other police divisions in the area and told them the youths were armed with cutlasses and that broken bottles littered the party venue.

“But the other DPOs left after they didn’t see traces of violence at the scene. We went to Itire-Ikate Local Council to complain but he told them that the deceased has been on their wanted list. We were disappointed.”

An elder brother to the deceased, Taofeeq Ayoade, who pleaded to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the state Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni for justice, said his brother was an easy going person.

He debunked the allegation from the LCDA that he was on their wanted list, noting that his brother has never been to a police station in his life.

He said: “What annoyed us most was the allegation of the DPO that my brother had been on their wanted list. Wanted list for what purpose? We are calling on Lagos State government and the State Commissioner of Police to come to our aid.

“As I speak with you, my mother is in serious condition. She has been weeping since that day. We have buried my brother in accordance with Islamic rites.”