Trigger-happy policeman shoots youth at Lagos hotel

There was palpable tension on Thursday morning in Akowonjo area of Lagos State as angry residents, mostly youths, protested against the killing of a youth in the area by a trigger-happy mobile policeman.

The unidentified policeman was until the Thursday incident attached to Erico Belisma Hotel on Olowologbon Street along Akowonjo Egbe Road, where the deceased young man had been.

It was gathered that the deceased young man, simply identified as Niyi and some of his colleagues had gone to the hotel to lay siege for an alleged debtor, when the incident happened.

The Metro gathered that the deceased Niyi and colleagues had claimed that the unnamed debtor, who lodged at the hotel was owing them ₦5 million

A resident of the area, who simply identified himself as Mathew said “they were reportedly outside the hotel, when one of the members of staff at the hotel sighted them.”

Another resident, who pleaded anonymity, while speaking with the Metro said, “Those boys are known ‘yahoo boys’ (internet fraudsters) in the area.”

He also added that “they reportedly descended on the hotel staff member, who confronted them as they beat him seriously.”

It was while the beating was going on that the policeman, who was on guard at the hotel rushed to the scene and demanded to know what was going on.

An argument was said to have ensued between the policeman and the deceased Niyi, who reportedly insisted that he had committed no wrong.

“We didn’t know what happened but we just saw Niyi running away and the policeman chased him and shot him in the head,” another resident said.

The news of the death of Niyi created serious tension as angry residents mobilized themselves and vandalized the hotel.

About seven cars, said to belong to guests at the hotel were vandalized by the angry youths, who threatened to set the hotel ablaze.

The quick response of the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad prevented the angry youtsh from setting the hotel on fire.

Anti-riot policemen were immediately mobilized and drafted to the area to prevent a further breakdown of law and order.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Olarinde Famous-Cole confirmed the incident but claimed not to have been properly briefed by the divisional police officer in charge of the station.