Joy Anyim
A police Inspector, attached to the Police Mobile Force, Monday Gabriel, has been arrested for opening fire on his colleagues, killing a sergeant, Felix Okago, at Onikan area of Lagos State.
The trigger-happy Inspector, who leads a police team on Special duty at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) building, had gone on shooting spree after a heated argument with his colleagues around 5:00a.m, on Sunday.
It was gathered that while other team members escaped unhurt, Okago sustained bullet wounds which resulted in his death.
Knowing the gravity of his offence, Gabriel flee the crime scene. He hijacked the team’s operational vehicle and drove straight to Akoka in Yaba, where he forcefully tried to gain access to a compound.
While an Iron door stood on his way, the Inspector had allegedly resumed another round of shooting, firing at the door and ceiling of the compound.
The Bariga Police Division, and the Rapid Response Squad were alerted, and operatives were immediately deployed to the troubled area.
A resident who did not want his name on print said, at least 30 bullets were counted from the shooting at the Akoka compound.
The source also disclosed that the policeman who was dressed in black outfit, was shouting that unknown persons wanted to corrupt him, and that he should be allowed to go home in Jesus name.
In response to the unprofessional act, the Lagos State Police Command said investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, had begun.
A statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Elkana Bala, on Sunday, revealed that the Commissioner of Police had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Investigation, to take over the matter.
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Bala said, “The 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.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of investigation to take over the investigation.
“The Command deeply condoles with the family of the fallen colleague who paid the supreme price in service to his fatherland.”