By Christopher Oji
An angry mob has murdered an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who was appeasing people attempting to set fire to a vehicle that killed a commercial motorcycle operator (Okada rider) at Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos.
Trouble started after the mob at the accident scene descended on a team of policemen who responded to the incident, resulting in the death of the ASP.
It was gathered that an Okada rider had collided with a stationary truck and died instantly, prompting his colleagues to storm the scene and attempt to set the truck ablaze.
The police team, which raced to the scene to prevent the angry mob from burning the truck, was attacked.
The deceased police ASP was reported to have been calming the mob down with a promise to do justice for the deceased Okada rider when he was struck on the head with an iron rod.
The ASP slumped and was rushed to a medical facility where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Benjamin Hundeyin stated that five persons have been arrested in connection with the murder, adding that the body has been deposited in the mortuary.
He said, “On October 19, 2024, at 12:40 PM, a distress call was received that a motorcycle rider ran into a trailer at WEMCO Junction mobile road Agege and died on the spot. Based on the report, a patrol team was mobilized to the scene and, on arrival, met a large number of motorcycle riders gathered. However, during the process of evacuating the truck away from the scene, the patrol team came under attack from the riders, who insisted on touching the truck. As a result, one ASP, 46 years old, was injured on the head and died before medical assistance could reach him, while the truck driver escaped. The bodies have been evacuated to Mainland General Hospital morgue for autopsy. Meanwhile, five suspects have been arrested, and a manhunt for other fleeing suspects is ongoing. Further developments will be communicated, please.”