THE Lagos State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the death of one Anosikwa Patrick.
Patrick was allegedly stabbed by a police officer, now identified as Inspector Taofeek, at Skymall Shopping Mall in the Ajah area of the state on Saturday, April 20.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin made this disclosure in a statement issued on Sunday, April 21.
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An X user, NotMentus, had on Saturday, April 20, tagged the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a post, seeking assistance in obtaining justice for the demise of Patrick.
He wrote, “#Princemoye1, good morning sir, my brother got stabbed to death by one of the police officers attached to Skymall at Sangotedo, Lekki.
“The officer is currently on the run. His colleague, too, is on the run.”
This alleged case of police brutality was coming a few hours after Abiriba-born businessman Emmanuel Michael Okocha was shot dead along Aba-Owerri road in Aba, Abia, state for refusing to bribe some policemen at a checkpoint.
The officer who killed Okocha was attached to the Abayi Police Division before the incident happened.
Reacting to the latest development, the Lagos police PRO said the manager and chief security officer of the mall are already in custody to assist with the investigation.
The statement partly read, “The manager and chief security officer of the mall are already in custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.
“Meanwhile, the police officer has been identified as Inspr. Taofeek, member of visiting 12 PMF squadron to Lagos.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Adegoke Fayoade, has directed detectives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to ensure a speedy and diligent investigation towards ensuring that the culprit is brought to book.”
The ICIR reports that the tragic killings of both Okocha and Patrick are not an isolated incident but a troubling pattern of police brutality and misconduct that has plagued the country over time.
Over the years, The ICIR has documented several instances of police brutality in the country and how it has led to the loss of lives and properties.
In December 2022, The ICIR reported how Nigerians expressed outrage over the death of a female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, who was shot by an assistant superintendent officer in the Ajah area of Lagos State on Christmas Day.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M