The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Prince Umar Manko, on Monday said that investigation has commenced to find out the reasons a police corporal shot and killed a father of three.
Addressing journalists in his office, Manko explained that preliminary investigation showed that the deceased, Azeez Omotosho, with his friends, apparently under the influence of alcohol, attacked and attempted to disarm Corporal Emejo Gabriel of his rifle.
According to the police chief, the attack on Gabriel led to his being hospitalised, where he is presently battling to stay alive.
Gabriel is said to be suffering from bodily injuries and a broken head.
The wife of the deceased, Sherifat Omotosho, had insisted that the corporal shot her husband twice, leading to his death.
Sherifat had said: “The incident happened around 9pm.
“My husband saw policemen stop the car of his friend’s brother, Samson, in front of our house and he went to intervene.
“I told my husband not to intervene but he said he knew the policemen.
“My husband did not even switch off the engine of his vehicle.
“We all alighted and entered into our compound and suddenly we heard a gunshot.”
Sherifat claimed to have rushed out from their apartment to find the corporal touching her husband and then for no apparent reason, the corporal shot the dying man again.
Manko however gave a new slant to the shooting and killing of Omotosho.
He said: “We’re still investigating, but what we’ve gathered so far is that there was a party and some people there started fighting.
“The corporal intervened, attempting to make peace, but they attacked him.
“As we’re speaking now, he is in the hospital.”
It was further gathered that the crowd had attempted to dispossess Gabriel of his rifle and he had had to fight and shoot to save his life and the rifle.
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