2 Corpses Dumped At Police Station, Residents Allege Police Involvement In Killing

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The residents of Kirikiri town in Lagos witnessed an ugly situation on Tuesday after two corpses were taken to the Police Division by angry mob, who claimed that it was the Police that caused the killing over N500 bribe.

A truck driver on Tuesday reportedly lost control and killed two persons after a Police officer allegedly sprayed tear gas on the driver while on the highway for not settling the officers the usual daily N500 passage bribe.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at UBA Bus Stop at Berger Junction on Apapa Expressway in Lagos, where the officers mounted pin down points to check motorists and collect money.

The death of the victims sparked a protest in the area and the corpses were taken to the Kirikiri Police Division, where the officers who reportedly caused the accident were said to be attached.
The Police Station was temporarily shut down and officers were fully mobilized to prevent the angry mob from entering and destroying properties.
It took several hours before normalcy was returned at the station after the Police took the corpses and deposited at mortuary. The identities of the victims were not yet disclosed by the Police.

According to witnesses, the truck driver was coming from Mile 2 area down to the Kirikiri end when the driver failed to stop to settle the Police. They alleged that one of the officers at the check point brought out tear gas and sprayed it on the driver. He then lost control and crushed the victims. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, known as New Nigeria, where the doctor referred them to General Hospital but they eventually died on the way and their corpses were angrily dumped at the Police Station.
When P.M.EXPRESS correspondent visited Kirikiri Police Division, the station was under lock and key with armed men positioned in strategic places to avert any attack from angry mob.
The DPO was said to be under pressure and was said to have given directive not to allow anybody to enter the station. The Police PPRO, DSP Bala Elkana, could not be reached because his phones were switched off.