Joy Anyim
A police Sergeant, Okema Asuquo, has been arrested, and detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Yaba, for killing a police Inspector, Adekunle Ilesami Francis.
It was learnt that Asuquo and the deceased were co-tenants at No 8. Dosumu Street, Agbelekale in Oke-Odo.
Asuquo, an alcoholic was reportedly notorious in the area for intimidating and harassing neighbours.
However, tragedy struck last weekend, when the Sergeant returned home drunk, and engaged a neighbour in a fight.
It was gathered that the suspect chased the neighbour with a cutlass, insisting he wanted to kill him.
With the intention to call the Sergeant to order, Francis, an officer attached to the Special Protection Unit (SPU) 2, Ikeja, had intervened, asking the sergeant to drop the cutlass.
The plea fell on deaf ears as Asuquo pounced on Francis, stabbing him in different parts of his body, and injuring another.
The Inspector was rushed to the hospital, but died on Monday morning.
A close friend of the deceased, who did not want his name mentioned, called for the immediate prosecution of the suspect.
He ssid: “ The sergeant drives a fully tinted Toyota Camry car with no plate number. He was reported at the Oke-Odo, Ile Epo Police Station for his previous actions but nothing was done to call him to order before he perpetrated this evil act.
“I saw Inspector Francis on his hospital bed. He was still alive then. Unfortunately, I received a call from his brother, Ojo Adekunle that he just passed on.
“The doctor also confirmed his death. I am using this medium to appeal to the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, to do the needful and prosecute this killer sergeant that has been terrorising everyone in the vicinity. This kind of character should not be in the Nigeria Police Force. ”
While confirming the arrest of the suspect, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana said the Homicide Section of SCID was handling the matter.
Elkana said: ” On June 4, 2020 at about 8:10 p.m., one Azees Adebayo of No 8. Dosumu Street, Agbelekale Oke-Odo reported at Oke-Odo Police Station that one Sergeant Okema Azuquo a tenant in the same house returned home and engaged other tenants in a fight. That he inflicted matchet cuts on one Inspector Adekunle Ilesanmi who is also a tenant in the house.
“ The Inspector was trying to stop the sergeant from harming other civilian tenants. Ayodele Eyitayo, a tenant in the house also sustained minor injury on his face. A team of Policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), was promptly deployed to the scene. The injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment while the Sergeant was arrested.
“ While Ayodele Eyitayo was treated and discharged, the Inspector was admitted due to the severity of the injuries he sustained. The Inspector however, died on June 7, 2020 while on admission. Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, has taken over the investigation.”
He also stated that the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation and disciplinary proceedings are concluded.
Recall that barely one week ago, a police Inspector had opened fire on his team members killing a sergeant at Ikoyi area of Lagos.