A Police Inspector, Monday Gabriel, has shot dead a Sergeant, Felix Okago, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State on Sunday.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the policemen were on special duty at a federal facility in Ikoyi when Gabriel reportedly went berserk and suddenly started shooting and one of the bullets fired hit Okago.
Reacting to the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said in a statement that Okago died from injuries sustained during the attack, adding that men of the Bariga Police Division arrested Gabriel around the Akoka area of the state while he attempt escape.
He stated that Gabriel, who presented signs of mental depression after being arrested, had been taken to a hospital for examination, adding that the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, while commiserating with Okago’s family, ordered an investigation into the incident.
Elkana said, “On Sunday, May 31, 2020, around 4.30 pm, the Area A Command received a distress call that one inspector Monday Gabriel attached to No 21 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Abuja, while on special duty in a federal government facility in Ikoyi, Lagos, went berserk and started shooting sporadically.
“One sergeant Felix Okago who was on special duty with the Inspector, died from the gunshot injuries while others escaped unhurt.
“In an attempt to escape, he took a patrol van and headed towards Third Mainland Bridge, shooting as he was escaping.
“He was intercepted by policemen from the Bariga Division along Akoka, disarmed and handcuffed. The rifle and vehicle were recovered.
“The corpse of the deceased sergeant is deposited in the mortuary for autopsy while the Inspector is taken to a police hospital for medical examination as he presented signs of mental depression.”
Policeman kills colleagues in shooting spree
By Precious Igbonwelundu
A yet- to- be named policeman on Sunday morning allegedly opened fire on his colleagues at Onikan, killing some of them.
The yet- to- be named officer went berserk around 5am following a disagreement with other members of his team.
It was gathered that the trigger- happy cop hijacked their operational vehicle after shooting them and drove straight to Akoka in Yaba around 5am where he attempted to access a compound but couldn’t.
According to sources, the building had a metallic door and the policeman said to be attached to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) allegedly opened sporadic fire on the property to gain access.
Residents said they were frightened and took cover not knowing what was happening since it was around 5am.
The Nation gathered that no fewer than 30 bullet holes were counted in an apartment, corridor and ceiling of the premises.
It was learnt that the shooter, who spotted black outfit and rose in a white escort van with siren, might have become more frustrated after his vehicle stock in a ditch when he made to escape.
Sources said distress calls were made to the Bariga Police Division and the Rapif Response Squad (RRS) who deployed operatives to the scene and restrained the acrive shooter.
From short videos obtained by The Nation from residents, the trigger happy cop was screaming incoherent, a development suggestive of a possible mental illness.
He was heard alleging that some persons wanted to corrupt him and that he should be allowed to go home in the name of Jesus.
At the time of this report, police spokesman Bala Elkana told our correspondent that the command was investigating the matter to understand what truly happened, adding that a statement would be released later.