The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into a tragic shooting involving a police aide assigned to Barrister Wale Fapohunda in the Surulere area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred on August 8, 2024, and resulted in the death of one Mr. Gabriel Audu.
The suspect, identified as Corporal Umar Lawal of SPU Base 10 Sokoto, allegedly attempted to shoot a man named Mr. Vincent, during a heated argument over a used phone but ended up shooting Audu instead.
The deceased was later confirmed dead at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Incident Details
According to a police report, the incident took place around 10:22 p.m. on August 8, 2024.
Information was received from the Control Room that a police officer, assigned to Barrister Fapohunda, had shot and killed Gabriel Audu, a legion member attached to the same lawyer.
“As soon as the information was received, the police team left for Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where the suspect F/No 510570 Corporal Umar Lawal was apprehended, and his rifle, an AK-47, was recovered,” the police report stated.
Confession and Circumstances
Upon his arrest, Corporal Lawal confessed to the crime, admitting that his intention was to shoot Mr. Vincent, also known as “Dogman,” following a heated dispute over a used phone that Lawal had purchased from Vincent.
“Unfortunately, the bullet struck the deceased in the chest, and he was taken to LUTH General Hospital Idiaraba, where he was pronounced dead,” the report added.
The deceased’s body has been photographed and placed in the LUTH morgue for autopsy.
Ongoing Investigation
The police have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to ascertain all the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, Corporal Lawal remains in custody as the authorities proceed with the legal process.
