Police Arrest Officer After Shooting Kills Girl and Injures Another in Lagos

The Lagos State Police have arrested an assistant superintendent, Omotayo Olajide, after a bullet from his gun killed a girl and injured another during a police operation in Ajegunle.

The shooting happened on Thursday, 5 November, between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the Nosamu area. Police officers were called to the scene after a fight broke out between two rival groups.

The groups, known as Nosamu Boys and Alayabiagba Boys, were reportedly clashing over toll collection. They were armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

On Saturday, police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi said officers were sent to the area after they received a distress call about the fight. She explained that Mr Olajide fired his weapon during the operation, hitting the two girls.

Both girls were taken to Ajeromi General Hospital. One of them was later moved to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, where she died. The police named her as Omole Taiwo.

The second girl is getting medical care and is now in stable condition, according to the police.

Mr Olajide has been disarmed and is in detention. The case has been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

Police Commissioner Tijani Fatai visited the family of the deceased to express his condolences. He promised that the investigation would be thorough and assured them that no officer found guilty would be protected.

The police have not explained how the gun went off or if Mr Olajide fired it on purpose during the clash.