Man shot by police in Lagos seeks justice six years after

A security expert, Tunde Adeparusi, who was hit by a stray bullet allegedly fired by police officers attached to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos, has bemoaned lack of justice six years after the incident.

Adeparusi was hit by one of the bullets allegedly fired by police officers on his way to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on July 20, 2018, leaving him bloody.

The officers were allegedly chasing some suspects at the tollgate area of the airport when the ugly incident occurred.

The victim, who was waiting at the tollgate to pay the fee, was left injured by the stray bullet, which pierced through his car.

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, ordered the arrest of the four police officers allegedly involved in the incident for proper Investigation.

The affected officers were Inspectors Christian Offor and Kingsley Umeji, as well as Sergeants David Eguavoen and Paul Ebo.

The former CP had said if the allegation against the officers was established, they should be marched before the command’s provost for an orderly room trial.

However, nothing has been heard about the issue six years later.

Adeparusi said: “Do you know 2018 is yet another year hatched in my memory forever?

“I was shot by four officers attached to Panti, who fired indiscriminately around the tollgate leading to the International Airport.

“When they observed that my head was lowered in my car, they probably assumed I was dead, one of them alighted from their vehicle and picked up the bullet shells to conceal the evidence, then they hurriedly sped off, assuming I was dead. Fortunately, God spared my life.

“Despite the initial arrest of these rogue officers, they were eventually released and returned to duty.

“To this day, I’ve received no justice. This horrific experience left me impaired in my left ear (and slightly my left eye) till date.

“I emptied my life savings and even had to solicit support from friends and family members for treatment.

“The Inspector General of Police (IGP) was petitioned on the matter. This is Nigeria. Nothing came out of it. If I had died, nothing would have happened. My little children would have lost both parents. In fact, I’m yet to recover from the trauma,” he said.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin was yet to respond to enquiry sent to him on the matter since Monday.