Tragedy struck today at the Makoko waterfront, which is currently under demolition by the Lagos State Government, as a police corporal shot and killed one of the residents who were appealing for more time to pack their properties before the demolition of their homes.
The victim, identified as Timothy Azinpono, was said to be advising protesting residents on how to conduct themselves during a planned peaceful protest before the police corporal aimed and shot at him.
A witness, Mr. Opaloba, who was present during the incident, said children of the affected residents, mainly secondary school students, were peacefully showing placards at a considerable distance from the police and Kick Against Indiscipline [KAI] officials present during the demolition hour but that the rash corporal turned his gun on Mr. Azinpono.
The trigger happy policeman, Corporal, Pepple Boma, who is attached to the Marine Police Station, Oworonshoki, allegedly aimed his weapon at other protesters but was stopped by his colleagues.
Mr. Opaloba told SaharaReporters this afternoon: “People were only showing placards over there without moving close to anybody. Our placards are mainly inscriptions of plea that they should allow us more time to find another settlement but suddenly, the policeman just shot at one of us and after Timothy was down, he faced the nuzzle at another man. So, the rest of us scattered.”
Community chiefs on the lagoon also told SaharaReporters that the policeman attempted to escape but that his canoe was halted by the youths residing on the lagoon.
Mr. Azinpono was said to have been breathing after the shooting, bur CorpoeL Boma’s attempt to escape and the subsequent efforts to stop him may have proved fatal. At about 3.20pm, he was confirmed dead at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital [LASUTH], Ikeja.
In addition to the killing of one resident, twelve others were also arrested by the Lagos State Waterfront and Infrastructural Development in a joint military effort with the KAI officials in Lagos.
The General Secretary of the Egun Community on lagoon, Makoko, Mr. John Mautin confirmed to SaharaReporters the arrest of four women, seven men and one infant.
When contacted by telephone, one of those arrested, who was seized as early as 10.30am, was unsure where they were being held. He told SaharaReporters they were taken in a Black Maria van and driven all around Lagos without any stop point. No effort has been made at legal prosecution, either.
Mr. Mautin confirmed that Corporal Boma was taken to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigations.
As of the time of this report, the 12 residents arrested for protesting on the Makoko lagoon this morning had not been released. No information was available as to what the officials of KAI and the LagosState Government will be doing with them .
I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you
Posted: at 22-07-2012 12:57 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
mallorca at 22-07-2012 12:58 PM (12 years ago) (m)
RIP
HOPE IS MY ROAD,VICTORY IS MY DESTINY
Posted: at 22-07-2012 12:58 PM (12 years ago) | Addicted Hero
azimibraun at 22-07-2012 01:26 PM (12 years ago) (m)
Dis mst nt b swept under d carpet.. Smtime d policemen we hv in dis country amaze me.. No record of any violent resistance and then he shoots jst lk dat.. Dnt nigeria police hv rubber bullets?
Posted: at 22-07-2012 01:26 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
nonsovin at 22-07-2012 02:14 PM (12 years ago) (m)
I HATE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE FROM THE BOTOM OF MY HEART! CHAI! EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM IS DIFFERENT. WHAT A NONSENCE RUBBISH! GONE SO SOON!!! DEAR, R I P
Posted: at 22-07-2012 02:14 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
georgecool at 22-07-2012 03:48 PM (12 years ago) (m)
Muslim police man,all they know is killing,R.IP to the dead....police are criminals them selves,them no fit go face their brother boko haram members...stupid police man
Posted: at 22-07-2012 03:48 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
georgecool at 22-07-2012 04:04 PM (12 years ago) (m)
Muslim police man,all they know is killing,R.IP to the dead....police are criminals them selves,them no fit go face their brother boko haram members...stupid police man
Posted: at 22-07-2012 04:04 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
prince775 at 22-07-2012 04:07 PM (12 years ago) (m)
Quote from: georgecool on 22-07-2012 03:48 PM
Muslim police man,all they know is killing,R.IP to the dead....police are criminals them selves,them no fit go face their brother boko haram members...stupid police man
your right there man
Posted: at 22-07-2012 04:07 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
lawless country with a of lawless ppl, how can government demolish a place without providing another good place for the ppl this is rubbish, i have alot of respect for the lagos state governor but this this inhuman
Posted: at 22-07-2012 06:40 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
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