The Lagos police command says its officers should not be held responsible for the death of a sales lady in the Ojota area of the state.
TheCable had reported how police shot into the air and fired teargas as they dispersed ‘Yoruba nation’ agitators at Gani Fawehinmi park.
After the showdown, a sales lady identified as Jumoke was found dead in a pool of blood.
Residents informed TheCable that the lady, who sold yoghurt drinks, died after she was hit by a stray bullet in a compound beside Total petrol station, which is opposite the protest venue.
But in a statement, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesman of the state police command, denied reports that the police was responsible for the lady’s death.
He described the report as a “calculated attempt to create confusion and fear” in the minds of Lagosians and other Nigerians.
Adejobi claimed that the lady’s corpse is not fresh, adding that the command did not fire any live bullet during the protest.
“The Command hereby wishes to debunk the rumour and state categorically that it’s a calculated attempt to create confusion and fear in the minds of the good people of Lagos State and the country at large,” the statement reads.
“The Command did not fire a single live bullet at Ojota rally today. The said corpse was found wrapped and abandoned at a distance, far from Ojota venue of the rally, behind MRS Filling Station, inward Maryland, on the other side of the venue, with dried blood stains suggesting that the corpse is not fresh.
“After a close look at the corpse, a wound suspectedly sustained from a sharp object was seen on it.”
Adejobi said investigation to unravel the incident will commence immediately.
He added that Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos commissioner of police, commiserates with the family of the deceased, and gave the assurance that a thorough investigation will be carried out.
