The Lagos State Police Command has stated that the man who shot dead a resident, Toyin Eniafe, 45, at the NNPC filling station, Obalende Roundabout, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, was one of its officers.
The media had erroneously reported that the armed officer was attached to the Department of State Services (DSS) but, in a statement, Friday, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the shooter had been identified as a policeman.
According to Hundeyin, “The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU), Base 1, Lion Building, Lagos.
“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.”
The media had mistaken the operative of the SPU for a DSS officer.
At the filling station, just before the shooting, it was reported that a group of security agents, numbering four, attempted to enter the petrol station for some petrol, but they were obstructed by some street urchins controlling motorists scrambling for fuel, which led to an altercation.
A witness, Gabriel Ugbana, who described the incident as a May Day tragedy, said, “We were at the filling station on the queue waiting for our turn when, all of a sudden, the operatives stormed in two patrol vehicles without number plates and attempted to forcefully enter the station, but they were told to respect the queue. Rather than respect the people’s opinions, the operatives started intimidating us.
“The people who were already waiting for the products were not happy with the operatives and this led to a serious argument between the deceased and the operatives, before he was shot by the overzealous personnel.”
When contacted, the spokesman for the DSS, Mr. Peter Afunaya, said the service was investigating to know all the people behind the shooting.
“Please, do more verifications before drawing any conclusions. Find out who’s involved.
“DSS was not involved in the incident but you can find out more, please,” he said.
Confirming the report, Hundeyin said, “At about 8.08 p.m. on Wednesday, some yet-to-be-identified security personnel, numbering about four, went to NNPC filling station, Obalende Roundabout, to buy fuel.
“While making an attempt to get access to the filling station, an argument occurred between them and one Toyin Eniafe, 45, who was alleged to have broken bottles in an attempt to attack the security personnel.
“Other boys around came in support of Toyin. Toyin allegedly broke the bottle to attack and disarm one of the security personnel. As a result, the unidentified security operative fired at him on the left side of his chest and the security personnel ran away from the scene when the mob attempted to launch an attack on them.”
Hundeyin added that the police acted quickly to de-escalate the situation and sent more men to the location.
“On receipt of the information, we led a patrol team to the scene, where the victim was seen lying in a pool of blood,” he said.
Hundeyin also confirmed that a police inspector unconnected with the incident who was in the vicinity was attacked by the mob, and they burnt the two Hilux trucks, which the unidentified security operatives came in.
Hundeyin concluded by saying the body was removed and deposited at the Military Hospital, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
In addition, the police inspector was rescued and rushed to the Falomo Police Hospital for medical attention.
The PPRO said normalcy had been restored and the situation was under control as investigation into the case was ongoing.