Policeman shoots colleague dead in Ondo

There was pandemonium in Ondo town on Saturday evening following the death of a police officer attached to the Yaba Divisional Police Division, Inspector Adelakun Lawal, who was allegedly shot dead by one of his colleagues.

It was learnt that the suspect, Mr. Kazeem Shehu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, serving at Ajagba Division in the Irele Local Government of the state, had been arrested.

He was said to be a close friend of the victim and they were drinking together at a relaxation spot before the incident occurred.

According to an eyewitness account, the duo went to the relaxation spot at Ejankole street in Okerowo area of Ondo town at about 5pm.

He said, “They were actually enjoying themselves when a hot argument ensued between them. The argument resulted in Lawal’s death.”

It was learnt that efforts made by other people to broker peace between the two policemen at the height of their hot argument were not successful.

The assailant was said to have brought out a pistol from his pocket and shot the late Inspector at a close range while the deceased fell down in a pool of blood.

It was further leant that the ASP made spirited effort to flee from the scene, but was apprehended by some of the patrons of the spot.

It was gathered that the victim was rushed to the Ondo state Specialist Hospital in Ondo town, while the assailant also sustained injuries while trying to escape.

The victim who had been confirmed dead at the specialist hospital was also until his death, a police prosecutor at an Ondo Chief Magistrate’s court.

The Yaba Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Adegoke Alani, a Chief Superintendent of Police was not available for comment as he was said to have gone out for surveillance.

The officer in charge of Ondo Area Command, Mr. Hamzat Ameyi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was also not available as he was said to have travelled out of town.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr. Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident on Sunday.

Ogodo said “The unfortunate incident happened at about 1700hrs on Saturday when one Johnson Gbamila ‘m’ reported the case at the Enu-Owa Police Station.

“Johnson explained that a police officer at Igbotako, ASP Kazeem Usman, shot dead Inspector Adelakun Lawal, a prosecutor attached to Yaba Division, Ondo at Ejankole beer parlour, Oke-Osun, Ondo.

“Johnson reportedly quoted the suspect to have threatened to kill the victim and that he immediately followed the threat by action when he drew out his pistol and shot the deceased to death.”

The PPRO said the corpse of the deceased had been removed from the scene and deposited at the General Hospital mortuary Ondo

He also said that the culprit had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure for “discreet” investigation.

 

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