By Augustine Ehikioya
Cracking down on crimes, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has personally led a joint team of Police Operatives and Tactical Squads from the Command to clear blockage and reopen the Lagos-Badagry Expressway at the Otto-Ijanikin axis to traffic and other road users.
The expressway, which was blocked following a communal clash between the youths of Ijanikin and Otto, has since been reopened at about 09:00 am.
The expressway, which was blocked for some hours on Saturday, according to a statement by SP Abimbola Adebisi, Police Public Relations Officer, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), following a communal clash between youths of Ijanikin and Otto, has now been reopened to traffic, and normalcy has been fully restored in the affected communities with members of the public going about their lawful businesses and activities peacefully.
“During the clash between the two youth groups, one Akinyemi Omo Akin, was suspected to have been shot and died in the hospital.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed a full-scale investigation of the incident, to be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti.
“Massive deployment of Police personnel is on the ground to sustain the peace and forestall any further breakdown of law and order.”
From preliminary investigation, the statement said, it is incorrect and untrue that the deceased died from a stray bullet from the Police.
“Before Police intervention and arrival at the scene, there were calls and information to the Police from members of the public that the two sides brought in cultists that were shooting and engaging themselves in a gun duel. The victim must have been shot during the shootout.
“Meanwhile, seven (7) suspects from both sides have been arrested and are in Police custody in connection with the clash, and they have made voluntary statements indicating the various criminal roles they played in the clash.
“One locally made pistol and two (2) live cartridges were recovered from one of the suspects. Furthermore, detachments of Police Tactical Squads and Anti-Riot Policemen are currently combing the affected communities and surrounding bushes to apprehend the other fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.”
The Lagos State Police Command also warned all troublemakers and their sponsors that the Command will not tolerate any act that can lead to the breach of the existing peace anywhere in the State.
It threatened that the full weight of the law will be applied to those arrested.
“Parents and guardians are hereby enjoined to prevail on their children and wards to desist forthwith from any act that threatens the safety of lives and property in the State.
“CP Olohundare Jimoh encourages all the people of the State to go about their lawful businesses and other engagements without fear or apprehension.”
He urged members of the public to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities capable of threatening public peace and security through the Command’s emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929.
