- A Lagos resident allegedly died after being chased into a canal by police operatives at Iyana Ayobo
- The incident has sparked widespread anger, with citizens demanding accountability from the police
- TheRadar compiled reactions from the public below
Widespread reactions have surfaced following the report that a Lagos resident, yet to be identified, allegedly died after being chased into a canal by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred at the Federal Bus Stop in the Iyana Ayobo area of Lagos State on Wednesday morning, October 16.
The incident was brought to public attention through a series of tweets posted by a social media user, Omorehemi, on Thursday evening, October 17.
“Yesterday morning, police chased my friend's husband till he fell into the canal, they took his slippers and money that fell and left when people started shouting. This happened at federal bus stop,ipaja Ayobo axis. He is currently unconscious at Lasuth. @BenHundeyin @PoliceNG,” Omorehemi stated on X (formerly Twitter).
“He has given up! Yet to tell the wife as of now NIGERIAN POLICE! NIGERIAN POLICE!! NIGERIAN POLICE!!!,” Omorehemi stated.
According to the posts, the police officers were involved in a pursuit that led the unnamed man to flee into a nearby canal.
Omorehemi further said, “The officers were on mufti. They stopped him on bike,the bike man left. They searched him insisting he is a yahoo boy cos of his tattoos and started cocking their guns that they will shoot him, he started moving away saying he's not and they started following him till he ran.”
Giving an account of the incident, spokesman for the Lagos State Police command, Benjamin Hundeyin said, “Since we saw this video, we have been making concerted efforts to verify this claim but nothing has turned up yet. We have checked our records and no report has been made till now of this incident that the narrator explained happened yesterday.
“Nonetheless, our investigation is ongoing. The Area Commander covering that entire axis is personally on it. Anyone with additional and useful information should please reach out to us. We will keep the public updated on our findings,” Hundeyin stated.
Hundeyin disclosed the outcome of the investigation hours later saying, “The police visited the scene and met eye witnesses on ground who voluntarily gave their statements regarding the unfortunate incident.
“At about 10am on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, somewhere around Gowon Estate, the young man was a passenger on a motorcycle riding against traffic. Immediately they sighted the police approaching in their vehicle, the rider made a sharp u-turn while the passenger jumped off the motorcycle, crossed the road and ran through the nearby tipper garage.
Hundeyin further said, “People in the garage who saw him running towards the canal and at the same time emptying the contents of his pockets agitatedly warned him about a canal ahead. He did not stop but unfortunately jumped into the canal. The police officers, startled at his knee-jerk reaction, stopped their vehicle, alighted and went in the direction of the canal. The people around informed the police that the young man jumped into the canal. They all went to look, waited some minutes, did not see him, upon which the police left, believing he successfully evaded them.”
The spokesman for the Lagos State Police command further said, “The police officers did not speak with him, did not touch him, did not chase him, did nothing. The young man simply saw them and bolted. May God give his family the fortitude to bear the sad loss. Amen.
Lagosians are assured that @LagosPoliceNG under CP Olanrewaju Ishola, psc+, mnips would not condone any form of unprofessional conduct on the part of its officers,” Hundeyin added.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage online.
Nigerians react to alleged death of man chased by police
TheRadar compiled reactions from the public below:
“Dear @PoliceNG According to the video, they are from the notorious Ipaja Division aka Alagolo, the same men that killed protesting Okada riders some months ago. Today they’ve killed a young man and made a young widow. Congratulations @BenHundeyin x @Princemoye1,” Enyola reacted.
“We all have to stand up, resist and fight vehemently against this evil and injustice that the police is melting out to the youth of Nigerians. This is totally unfair and should not have a place in our nation . Police is meant to protect us but no Nigerian police left the group chat,” Christiana Daniel stated.
“God! I despise @PoliceNG and everything they stand for. Y’all are a fucking stain,” Prince reacted.
“Until their families start to fear to go out in public, they won’t stop.Anywhere you see them,let their police father/husband hear what happened to them and the reason it did.They will stop,” Kofi stated.
“How did they recruit criminals in the name of police? How long will this continue to happen,” Emma Cfc added.
“All they are after is people's life and properties,” The Arsenal Baby stated.
“They are determined to kill you,” The Ilaje Sultan stated.
“I read this story and I remember the day a police man asked me that’s close to my 30’s how I’m able to afford 300k in my account. I nearly won cry, like say my mate no dy get millions. This country is a big shiiiiiiit,” Ovoh of Lagos recalled.
“I completely agree. We keep hearing these stories because no one has been taught a real lesson. The only language the Nigerian police will understand is an eye for an eye,” Prince stated.
Story updated to reflect Police response.
Governor Fubara, others chase police away from RISIEC office
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that armed police officers were chased away by a large crowd outside the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) office.
Governor Similanya Fubara arrived on the scene, accusing the Inspector-General of Police of attempting to disrupt the state local government elections.