A yet-to-be-identified man has succumbed to injuries sustained after falling into a canal while allegedly fleeing from police officers who accused him of being an Internet fraudster.
The incident occurred in the Ayobo area of Ipaja, igniting public outrage and raising questions about police conduct in the region.
According to eyewitness reports and a series of tweets from a user named Omorhemi, who identified herself as a friend of the deceased’s wife, the man was pursued by plain-clothed policemen on Wednesday morning.
Omorhemi stated that the officers, suspecting him of being a “Yahoo boy” due to his tattoos, confronted him as he rode on a motorcycle.
After the bike rider left, the policemen reportedly searched the victim, allegedly seizing his slippers and cash as they accused him of fraud.
Witnesses claim the situation escalated when the officers began to threaten the man, drawing their guns and insisting he was guilty of fraud.
In a panic, the victim attempted to escape, ultimately slipping and falling into the canal. Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, emphasizing that the officers left the area when bystanders began to shout for help.
The victim was rescued unconscious from the canal and rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja GRA.
Despite efforts to save him, he died later that night. Omorhemi shared the tragic news on her social media, expressing her devastation and the urgency of the situation.
“I’m yet to tell the wife as of now. Nigerian Police! Nigerian Police!! I am not pleased to inform you that this young man died in the middle of the night on Wednesday, a few hours after the incident,” she tweeted.
She also highlighted the inadequate response from police officers when the victim’s wife sought assistance at the police station. “The officers asked her if they were the ones that pushed him,” she recounted, showcasing the frustration and despair faced by the grieving family.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, responded to inquiries about the incident, stating he was unaware of the claims made by Omorhemi.
However, he confirmed that an investigation was underway. “We have checked our records, and no report has been made till now of this incident that the narrator explained happened yesterday. Nonetheless, our investigation is ongoing,” Hundeyin asserted.
In a subsequent update, Omorhemi announced that two of the policemen involved in the chase had reportedly been detained. She credited the cooperation of eyewitnesses and the diligence of their District Police Officer (DPO) for the development.
“Thanks to some eyewitnesses who have been able to point out two from the officers and the cooperation of their DPO, they have been taken and detained at Area M,” she wrote.
As the investigation continues, the incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for accountability and transparency in the police force’s operations.
The tragic loss of life in such circumstances raises serious concerns about the actions of law enforcement and their impact on community safety.
The Lagos State Police Command faces mounting pressure to address these allegations and ensure justice for the victim and his family.
As the investigation unfolds, further developments are anticipated, and the public awaits answers regarding the conduct of the officers involved in this tragic incident.