Police kill foreigner in Lagos

THERE was pandemonium at the popular Daleko market in Mushin Local Council of Lagos, after a foreigner was allegedly shot dead by policemen.
There were, however, different accounts on how the deceased, identified as Santos Korie, was killed.
A version of the account said the foreigner was driving in his Toyota Highlander vehicle at about 7.00a.m., when some policemen who were in a commercial bus, on Daleko Bridge, allegedly intercepted him.
An argument was said to have ensued as the men in police uniform reportedly demanded to see the foreigner’s documents to ascertain whether he was an illegal alien.
It was recounted that one of the policemen allegedly shot the foreigner out of anger.
Another version of the account had it that the men in police uniform could have trailed the foreigner to the bridge, as they reportedly opened fire at him on close range.
The gunshot was said to have jeopardized motorists and traders movement in the area as they reportedly fled in different directions for safety, thereby causing heavy pandemonium in the highly populated area.
A cart-pusher, who simply identified himself as Eugene, told newsmen that the assailants usually patrolled the area, extorting money from gullible motorists. Eugene who claimed to be returning from where he had gone to off-load some bags of rice for a customer around Isolo area, said the policemen took to their heels immediately they fired the shots.
“Even after they left, the man inside the car was still breathing. If he had been rushed to the hospital at that time, perhaps, he would have survived. Nobody could even go near there at first until some policemen came and took him and his car away.”
While most eyewitnesses claimed the killers were policemen on illegal duty, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson Ngozi Braide, in a swift reaction, vehemently denied the allegation claiming that the killers were gunmen in police uniform.
A statement she released to the media said: “Today, April 11, 2013 at about 7.00am, the Area Commander, Area “D” Mushin received a distress call that there was a shooting incident around Daleko Bridge, Mushin. Some policemen were immediately dispatched to the area but on arrival, the gunmen had disappeared.
“On enquiry, eye witnesses clustering around told men of the Area “D” that the gun men were in Police uniform and had operated in a commercial bus. The victim, one Mr. Santos Korie driving in a Toyota Highlander died on his way to the hospital,” she claimed.
She added: “It was not immediately ascertained whether the gunmen were hired killers in police uniform or real Police Officers. Meanwhile, some arrests have been made and the suspects are currently being detained at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for interrogation.”
“Following this ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Umar Manko has ordered that the gunmen must be fished out with a view to knowing their identities, particularly as they were alleged to have operated in Police uniforms.
It would be recalled that in recent time, gunmen operating in military and police uniforms have been involved in one violent crimes and other related crimes in Lagos State.
“Command is not leaving any stone unturned in dealing decisively with any fake uniformed officer.”
“The Commissioner of Police hereby appeals to members of the public and especially, the victim’s family to remain calm and embrace peace as the perpetrators of this dastardly act must be brought to book.”