The Lagos State Police Command has arrested some of its officers following an alleged accidental shooting that resulted in the deaths of two passersby in the Alagbado area of Lagos State on Friday.
The incident reportedly occurred while the officers were pursuing suspected internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys,” during an operation in the area, when gunshots were discharged.
Confirming the development in a post on 𝕏, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
“The officers involved in the unfortunate shooting incident that occurred today in Alagbado have been arrested and taken into custody,” Adebisi stated.
She added that the Commissioner of Police directed the “adequate deployment of personnel to forestall any breakdown of law and order” within the community.
According to the command, normalcy has since been restored in the area, while residents were assured that justice would be served and that the findings of the investigation would be made public upon completion.
An eyewitness account shared on 𝕏 alleged that the officers, said to be attached to the AIT Division Police Station, were carrying out stop-and-search duties at the time of the incident.
The witness claimed that the policemen “ran away immediately” after the shooting, “leaving the unconscious victims without aid until they gave up the ghost as they couldn’t get help.”
Authorities said the exact circumstances surrounding the discharge of the firearm, including whether established operational protocols were followed, remain unclear as investigations continue.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in several parts of Lagos State following a series of cult-related clashes reported in Iyana-Ipaja, Aboru, Badore, Olokonla, Onipanu and Satellite Town.
At least four persons have reportedly been killed in the clashes, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Lagos State Police Command reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order across the state and urged residents to remain calm while the investigation proceeds.
