Officer who killed two at Lagos birthday party wasn’t on duty – Police

The Lagos State Police Command has said the policeman who allegedly killed two people at the birthday party of his friend was not on duty.

The command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

• EXPLAINER: What INEC’s BVAS means and how to minimise its failure during elections
• NIGERIA DAILY: Why Airlines Hike Their Fares During Festive Period

He said, “While investigation is ongoing, findings so far revealed that the shooting was accidental and involved an off-duty police officer, (name withheld), serving at the state headquarters, Ikeja.

“Findings equally revealed that the off-duty officer is a friend of the celebrant (name also withheld) and was not at the party in any official capacity.”

Hundeyin said that the command expected the suspect to turn himself in for investigation.

He said, “The policeman has not been arrested because he ran away. He has been identified. He is one of us at the state command headquarters.

“We are doing everything possible to bring him for investigation. We expect him to turn himself in. The command has reached out to the families of the deceased. Two persons were killed and some persons injured.

The spokesman had earlier in a statement said that on April 24 at about 9.00 pm, a shooting incident occurred at La Silver Bar, Egbeda, which resulted in the death of two people.

According to him, upon receipt of the information, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, ordered an immediate full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

“Efforts are currently being intensified to apprehend the fleeing birthday celebrant while the officer involved is expected to turn himself in anytime soon,” he added.