Jul 22 2012

Police Corporal Kills Makoko Evictee

By Gbenga Salau

 

THE ongoing demolition being carried out by the Lagos State government in the shantytown of Makoko claimed its first human casuality yesterday, when the Otun Baale of Makoko, Mr. Timothy Aripena, lost his life to a stray bullet from one of the police officers drafted to the area to prevent break down of law and order.

The officer was part of the police unit guarding officials of Kick Against Indiscipline, (KAI) who were enforcing the demolition order of the government.

The Baale of one of the affected communities, Chief Abraham Messou, said the already traumatised evictees were further devastated by the officer’s action, noting that none of the evictees attempted to prevent the Task Force from carrying out the demolition.

According to him, the slain chief was having a meeting with some members of the community in the presence of the Baale of Makoko when the bullet hit him.

Reiterating his view in an earlier chat with The Guardian, Messou explained that those affected had long decided not to confront the government. He said the people had been orderly and law abiding since the onslaught of the demolition squad got underway.

This, he said, was why, the elders ensured the youths of Makoko did not go on the rampage, but merely picked the body of the slain chief and dumped it into the boat the Police brought.

The Baale further said members of the community apprehended the police officer, whose name was given as Corporal Pepple Boma, from Oworo Police Station.

Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident in a brief telephone chat with The Guardian.

She however said the officer shot at the deceased while trying to defend himself, when members of the community tried to stop the demolition team from doing its job.

According to the police spokeswoman, the case would be investigated and appropriate action taken.

 

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