Policeman killed, Patrol Vehicle Vandalised By Irate Mob

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

At about 1100hrs today, Wednesday 29th August, 2018, at College Road, Ifako Ijaiye, Ogba, Lagos, a police patrol team stationed at a black spot in the aforementioned location was attacked by an irate mob for a yet to be determined reason.

In the process, Sergeant Esiabor Collins with service number 260326, was attacked and killed. The patrol vehicle was also not spared by the rampaging mob as they vandalised it.

Preliminary investigations into the incident revealed that the mob, mainly youths, had earlier in the morning gone to Area ‘G’ Police Command, Ogba, Lagos, with the intention to overrun the police formation and commit arson but found it impregnable. However, the Area Commander spoke to them;/promising to conduct an investigation into their grievance which bothered on the death of a youth who allegedly died today, two weeks after an alleged encounter with some policemen in the area.

At this juncture, it must be clearly stated that the police authorities in the state are unaware of any encounter with the deceased as no formal complaint was received to that effect.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police noted that the penchant to take laws into own hands by some people who easily constituted themselves into a mob is becoming worrisome.

The Command wishes to state that the deceased officer and indeed the entire patrol team had the option of defending themselves with their firearms against the mob but chose to show restraint in face of provocation but unfortunately the rampaging mob never allowed them that option hence Sgt. Collins paid the supreme price.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi, noted that policemen in the state had on several occasions shown restraints in the face of provocative actions. He therefore warned that policemen should not be forced to use their firearms to defend themselves in the course of protecting lives and government assets.

He urged parents to warn their children to refrain from such acts which according to him may lead to breaches of peace and unnecessary bloodletting.