DPO arrested for allegedly shooting police officer while dispersing crowd

The Divisional Police Officer of Ilemba Hausa, CSP Yahaya Mohammed Adeshina has been arrested following the shooting and killing of Sergeant Onalaja Onajide who before his death was attached to the police division.

The DPO whose arrest was ordered by the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command Hakeem Odumosu, was accused of shooting the sergeant while dispersing crowds that gathered in front of the station at about 9:40pm on May 10. He is currently being detained at the Sate CID, while his rifle has been taken for forensic examination.

According to the Lagos State Police Spokesperson Elkana Bala, in the initial report forwarded to the Headquarters by the DPO on May 16, it was claimed that unknown gunmen fired gunshots at the Divisional Police Officer, Ilemba Hausa and the Station Guard, Sergeant Onalaja Onajide. Adeshina was however arrested following reports received by the Command, alleging that he was behind the shooting.

Two suspects intially arrested in connection to the shooting, are soldiers suspected to be deserters.

The statement reads;

The Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc has ordered the transfer of the case involving the shooting and killing of Sergeant Onalaja Onajide attached to Ilemba Hausa Division, to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for discreet investigation. This decision followed the reports received by the Command alleging the Divisional Police Officer Ilemba Hausa, CSP Yahaya Mohammed Adeshina, of shooting the Sergeant while dispersing crowds that gathered in front of the Station.

The DPO is arrested and detained at the Sate CID for investigation. His rifle is retrieved for forensic examination. The Command has ordered that autopsy be carried out on the deceased person. The Commissioner of Police expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen colleague and assured them that the Command will stand with them in this moment of grief and ensure that justice prevails.

The shooting incident happened on 10/5/2020 at about 2140hours. The report forwarded to the Headquarters by the DPO on 16/5/2020 at about 1500hours, stated that unknown gunmen fired gunshots at the Divisional Police Officer, Ilemba Hausa and the Station Guard, Sergeant Onalaja Onajide. That while the DPO survived the gunshot, the Station Guard did not. The DPO further reported that two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime. The two suspects initially arrested are suspected to be deserted soldiers. The Command will hand them over to the military authority for further investigation.