On Sunday morning a police officer in Lagos went berserk and opened fire on his colleagues, after a misunderstanding between them culminated in a sergeant’s death.
Bala Elkana, the spokesperson for the Lagos police, said Sunday evening in a statement that the police inspector was arrested for his “unruly behaviour.”
The inspector, identified as Monday Gabriel, became violent on Sunday morning, according to Mr Elkana, and sporadically began shooting at his colleagues, killing one Felix Okago, a sergeant, while others escaped without injuries.
The officer took a patrol van in an attempt to escape, and headed toward the third mainland bridge, shooting as he escaped. Officials at Bariga subsequently intercepted him.
The officer spoke incoherently in a short video obtained by The Nation newspaper, alleging some people wanted to corrupt him and he should be allowed to go home.
It was also gathered that the officer shot at no less than 30 bullets.
The police spokesman said the officer was taken to a police hospital to be treated for mental illness, although the circumstances surrounding the incident have been investigated by an in-depth investigation.
“On 31/5/2020 at about 0430 hours, Area A Command received a distress call that one Inspector Monday Gabriel from No 21 Police Mobile Force Squadron Abuja, on Special duty in a Federal Government facility in Ikoyi Lagos, went berserk and started shooting sporadically.
“One Sergeant Felix Okago who was on Special duty with the Inspector, died from the gunshot injuries while others escaped unhurt.
“In an attempt to escape, he took a patrol van and headed towards third mainland bridge, shooting as he was escaping.
“He was intercepted by Policemen from Bariga Division along Akoka, disarmed and handcuffed. The rifle and vehicle were recovered.
“The corpse of the deceased Sergeant is deposited in the mortuary for autopsy while the Inspector is taken to Police Hospital for medical examination as he presented signs of mental depression,” Mr Elkana said.
Lagos Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu has directed the investigation’s deputy police commissioner to take over the investigation.
The command condolences profoundly with the fallen colleague’s family, who paid his fatherland the highest price of service, police said.