Some traders on Wednesday staged a protest to demand justice for their colleagues, Chikere Obieshi and one Odinaka, who were killed by an Inspector, Mohammed Hussini, in the Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Hussini, the deceased and some guests gathered at the La Silver Bar in the area on Sunday to celebrate the birthday of a friend, identified only as Ifeanyi, aka Obama.
During the celebration, the armed cop, who was said to be under the influence of alcohol, became overjoyed and opened fire to do a gun salute to celebrate Ifeanyi.
In the process, the cop, who could not maintain a firm hold of the gun because he was intoxicated, released the bullets that struck Obieshi and Odinaka down.
The victims were captured in a viral video clip spraying money when the bullets hit them during the celebration.
Obieshi and Odinaka were said to have died shortly afterwards.
However, Hussini alongside Ifeanyi fled the scene of the incident.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the incident, said a manhunt had been launched for the fleeing suspects.
However, friends and family members of the deceased victims, who were said to be prominent businessmen at Computer Village, Ikeja, protested against their deaths.
During the protest, which started around 10am, the victims’ colleagues were seen carrying placards as they sang solidarity songs.
The messages on the placards they carried include, ‘IG come to our aid,’ ‘President Buhari come to our aid,’ ‘Inspector-General of Police save our soul,’ ‘Justice for Chikere Obieshi, aka JB,’ ‘CP Alabi save our soul.’
Speaking during the protest, a man, who introduced himself as the Vice President of the Phone and Allied Products Association of Nigeria, urged the police authorities to apprehend the suspects.
He said, “We are here to tell the public and the government we want justice. Obieshi was the breadwinner of his family and now, we are seeking justice from the government.
“We need justice; the matter has been reported to the police and the police are telling us that they are still looking for the celebrant and the policeman. We want the police to fish out the celebrant and the police officer that did the shooting.”
Some of the protesters described Obieshi as a cheerful giver and a gentleman who did not like trouble.
He was said to have been survived by a wife and children.
In a follow-up reaction, Hundeyin, in a statement on Wednesday, said the shooting was accidental, adding that efforts were on to arrest Ifeanyi.
He also noted that Hussini was expected to turn himself in as the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alaba, had ordered an investigation into the incident.
Hundeyin said, “On Sunday, April 24, 2022, around 9pm, a shooting incident occurred at La Silver Bar, Egbeda, which resulted in the death of two persons and injuries to others.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, ordered an immediate full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.
“While investigation is ongoing, findings so far revealed that the shooting was accidental and involved an off-duty police officer, Inspector Mohammed Hussini, serving at the state headquarters, Ikeja.
“Findings equally revealed that the off-duty officer is a friend of the celebrant, Ifeanyi aka Obama, and was not at the party in any official capacity.
“Efforts are currently being intensified to apprehend the fleeing birthday celebrant, while the officer involved is expected to turn himself in anytime soon.”
“Findings equally revealed that the off-duty officer is a friend of the celebrant, Ifeanyi aka Obama, and was not at the party in any official capacity.
“Efforts are currently being intensified to apprehend the fleeing birthday celebrant, while the officer involved is expected to turn himself in anytime soon.”
