The Lagos State Police Command has decried the refusal of the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to release officers accused of killing a motorcyclist, Osita Okoye.
The Punch newspaper reports that detectives at the State Department of Criminal Investigations, Yaba, have established that Osita was killed by bullets from the gun of a female officer of the corps.
The female officer, according to the report, was among an eight-man team that stormed the Forte Oil Petrol Station on 21 Road, FESTAC Town, on April 6 during the recent period of fuel scarcity.
The officers were reportedly assigned to protect the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines in the area, but left their duty post for the filling station.
An altercation was said to have ensued between the officials and some fuel hawkers by the roadside.
In the ensuing confusion, Osita Okoye, a 27-year-old man was shot dead.
A police source disclose that some top shots of the NSCDC had refused to allow a parade of the corps’ officers for identification, interrogation and prosecution.
The manager of the filling station where the incident happened, Adeshina Olugbenga had earlier told the police that he could identify the officials that carried out the operation.
He said, “On that day, the operatives of the NSCDC arrived at about 12.15pm. They were led by an Igala man, who bore tribal marks.
“He was discussing with me when I heard sporadic gunshots. The leader of the operatives raised his hand, and all the NSCDC operatives jumped into their vehicle and fled the scene. It was later that I learnt somebody was shot dead.”
A bus driver, who was also shot in the lap, Oladiran Atolagbe, explained that he had parked his vehicle to queue for fuel when he heard gunshots, adding that it was while running for cover that he was hit.
It was learnt that the riot that followed the killing would have led to destruction of the NSCDC office in FESTAC Town, but for the intervention of military officers from the Ojo Cantonment and policemen from the FESTAC division.
The Head of the Department of Intelligence, NSCDC, Rabiu Solomon, and the Assistant Commandant of the corps, Adeyinka Adeboye, were said to have visited the FESTAC Police Division, and promised to assist with investigations.
However, a police source said the corps has frustrated investigations.
He said, “The NSCDC has been shielding the culprits. On April 19, 2016, a letter was written to their commandant on the matter, asking for a meeting, but he didn’t honour the invitation.
“On April 25, a reminder was sent that the suspects be handed over to the homicide section of the SDCI, but they were not.
“A few days after the incident, independent witnesses told detectives that the NSCDC officers killed and injured the victims.
“Also, 15 expended shells of 7.62mm ammunition fired by the NSCDC officials were recovered. And one of those who sustained injuries has provided medical reports which implicated the officers.”
Another police source disclosed to the newspaper that a case of conspiracy and murder had been established against the NSCDC officials, while conspiracy and accessory after the facts were being established against the top officers.
The elder brother of the victim, Chukwudi, said he was buried last Thursday in their hometown in Ukwulu, in the Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Chukwudi appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and non-governmental organisations to give the victim justice.
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