A police officer identified as Orukpe Monday, has died from the torture meted on him by soldiers who attacked him and his colleagues in the Trade Fair area of Lagos State.
Also Orukpe’s colleague identified as Igbafe Ojo, who was reportedly tortured by the same soldiers, is currently receiving treatmebt at the military hospital in the Ojo Military Cantonment.
It was gathered that a team of police officers attached to the Tradefair division were on duty at the CCECC gate along the Lagos-Badagry expressway to maintain traffic and was said to have stopped some cars from moving so as to make way for a truck owned by the construction company CCEECC.
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A military coastal bus conveying 30 private officers to the Military Ordinance school in Ojo was among the vehicles that were stopped.
According to a source, the military officers who were angered by the fact that the police officers stopped them from moving just to pave way for a truck came down from their coastal bus and began to challenge the police officers.
The situation led to an argument that degenerated into a fight when one of the soldiers allegedly slapped one of the policemen.
The soldiers allegedly made away with the ASP’s AK-47 magazine loaded with 25 rounds of live ammunition and also arrested two of the Inspectors.
The Inspectors were taken to the Ojo cantonment where they were beaten mercilessly.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police Area E in Festac and the Divisional Police Officer of Tradefair police division visited the scene and ensured the officers were taken to the hospital.
Sadly, one of the Inspectors lost his life while receiving treatment, on Thursday, August 4.
His corpse has been deposited at the Navy Reference hospital morgue in Satellite town for preservation and autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said
” Yes, there was an incident involving soldiers and our policemen, which led to the death of one police officer, an Inspector.
“The Police and Army authorities are working closely to resolve the issue.”
In a statement on Friday, the spokesperson, 81 Division Nigeria Army, Major Olaniyi Osoba, said the army was already in touch with the state police command to resolve the matter.
“This incident is highly regrettable given the Division’s disposition and zero tolerance for any misconduct.
“Accordingly, the Division has instituted a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstance surrounding the unfortunate incident.
“At the end of the investigation, anyone found culpable will be made to face the full wrath of the disciplinary provisions.
“Consequently, the Division wishes to commiserate with the Ojo Police Division and members of the family of the victim,” he said
