The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old driver in connection with the death of a police officer. According to Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, the incident occurred on August 26 during a stop-and-search operation on a road in the state. The driver allegedly knocked down and dragged the officer for several metres, resulting in fatal injuries. The officer, a police sergeant, was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The Commissioner of Police disclosed that the driver initially stopped after being flagged down by the officers but suddenly drove off, hitting one of the policemen. Other police officers pursued the vehicle and eventually arrested the driver. The vehicle involved in the incident has been recovered and taken to the police station for investigation. The incident has been described as unfortunate by the Commissioner.
The deceased officer's remains have been deposited at a mortuary. The Commissioner expressed concern over the hostility sometimes faced by police officers while performing their duties. He stressed that police visibility remained important to public safety and urged members of the public to cooperate with officers deployed on the roads.
Tijani emphasized that stop-and-search operations remained an important aspect of conventional policing and complemented intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing and detecting crime. He appealed to motorists to comply with lawful police instructions during stop-and-search operations rather than attempting to evade them.
The Commissioner advised members of the public who witness police misconduct to report such officers through appropriate channels instead of obstructing officers performing their duties. He called for mutual respect and cooperation between the police and members of the public, stressing that effective crime prevention required community support.
The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the incident. The Commissioner assured that the command would take necessary steps to ensure that justice is served. The police are yet to charge the suspect to court.
The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of police officers in Nigeria. The Commissioner urged the public to support the police in their efforts to prevent and detect crime. The police officer's death has been met with condolences from the police command and the public.
Key points
- The Lagos State Police Command arrested a 20-year-old driver for allegedly killing a police officer during a stop-and-search operation.
- The incident occurred on August 26 during a stop-and-search operation on a road in Lagos State.
- The police have recovered the vehicle involved in the incident and have taken it to the police station for investigation.
