The Lagos state Police Command has arrested a police officer who shot and killed a tank driver along Burma Road in Apapa area of the state on Wednesday.
The Policeman was arrested alongside 18 suspected hoodlums who allegedly set a commercial bank ablaze.
The command’s spokesman, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday said the command received a distress call from the Chief Security Officer, CSO of a new generation bank located in the area.
According to Famous-Cole, the caller said hoodlums were trying to take laws into their hands by setting the bank ablaze following the shooting of a tanker driver by a policeman attached to the bank after an altercation.
He said operatives of the command including the Area Commander Apapa, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and other security agents quickly mobilized to the scene to take charge of the situation.
He added that but for the quick intervention of the Police, the hoodlums would have wreaked more havoc as they destroyed private properties and valuables.
He explained that a mob had gathered in front of the bank demanding the trigger-happy policeman be released to them but the bank authorities refused, leading to the arson and further attack on another bank branch located on Wharf Road.
He further explained that the fire at the banks was put out by the police and other security agencies as the tanker driver identified as Azeez was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment and was confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital.
He however said that contrary to reports making rounds in the news, only one tanker driver was shot.
“The policeman has been arrested and would be charged to court immediately.The Lagos state police command would like to address the members of the public about the rate of impunity and jungle justice in the state.
“We are no longer going to tolerate the act of lawlessness and impunity by members of the public”, the spokesman said.
He said investigations are ongoing and normalcy had since been restored to the area.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni was also present at the scene of the incident.
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