An allegedly ‘drunken’ policeman corporal,Emmanuel Ubi, has been left hospitalized after an angry mob beat him for shooting into a crowd of youths holding a carnival at Edumare Squad, Lagos Island.
The tragic event happened around 9 pm on Christmas Day.A Punch report that four of the youths, 17-year-old Yusuf Abdullahi, 18-year-old Deji Bamgbala, a 26-year-old, Lekan Bamgbala and an unnamed fourth victim, were shot, leading to a melee in which others were injured.
According to reports, Ubi was part of a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of the Adeniji Adele Police Station, drafted to stop the carnival.
Ubi and another officer, both in plain clothes, had left the team to the carnival ground where the former shot indiscriminately at the youth.
Unfortunately for him, he was later caught by the mob, disarmed and nearly lynched.
Ubi is suspected to have acted under the influence of alcohol, an opinion held by many like an eyewitness who spoke with Punch,Tunde Ajayi.
“All of a sudden, the policeman started shooting at us. When we eventually caught him, we noticed he was under the influence of alcohol,”Ajayi reportedly said.
“The policeman and the other victims were taken to the Marina General Hospital on Lagos Island.
“It was the DPO who later came to plead with the elders in the community before the gun seized from him was released.”
The policeman and his victims were then rushed to the Marina General Hospital on Lagos Island.
The father of one of the victims, Abdullahi, who was shot through the right leg, said the DPO has promised to deal with the trigger happy policeman after giving them some money.
“The DPO had come to visit him and he gave us N25,000. He also assured us that the policeman would be sanctioned as soon as he is healthy,” he said.
One of the victims, Lekan said both his brother and himself were shot.
“We just heard gunshots and the whole place was thrown into confusion. It was in the process that I was shot and my brother, while trying to rescue me, was also hit.
“We feel better now.
“The DPO gave us N15,000.”
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police spokesperson,DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said Ubi will be duly punished
“A corporal, Emmanuel Ubi, shot at the crowd and about four of them were injured. Only one of them is left in the hospital and he will be discharged very soon. The officer was also seriously beaten by a mob,” Nwosu said.
“We regard the act (shooting) as unprofessional and we have commenced a disciplinary action on him.
“As soon as he is discharged from the hospital, our decision will be made known.”
Nwosu however added that the policeman had attempted to stop the party based on “intelligence report” that some hoodlums may use the opportunity to cause mayhem.
Ubi is still recovering at the hospital after the severe beating he received.
