Monsurat Ojuade, an 18-year-old lady shot by trigger-happy officers of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, on Saturday, has died.

FIJ gathered that Ojuade was shot at her parents’ house on Mogaji Street, Surulere, Lagos, at about 12 midnight.

“The Police said they were in the community for an investigation, but the youth were scared of any random arrests, so they started running around,” an eyewitness told FIJ. 

“During the commotion, Monsurat, who was at her mother’s shop in front of their house, tried to run inside but was shot at behind the gate. Being a slim lady, the bullet pierced her two thighs, and she lost a lot of blood.”

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Monsurat was first rushed to Randle General Hospital in Surulere but she was given first aid and referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, where she was rejected because of the ongoing doctors’ strike.

She was eventually taken to Havana Specialist Hospital, where she was reported Brought in Dead (BID), at about 12am on Saturday.

Lamenting Monsurat’s death, Lanre Oguntoyinbo, a family friend, said, “It’s rather unfortunate and unpatriotic that Nigerian doctors would reject a dying patient on the account of observing an industrial strike action.

“Monsurat died as a result of police impunity and the nonchalance of some medical practitioners.”

Olaide Ojuade, the deceased’s elder sister, said Umar Bala, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ijeshatedo Police Station, visited the family and promised that the matter would be investigated.

When asked for comments, Aliko Dankoli, the Area Commander in charge of Lagos Area D Police Command, said he was not authorised to speak to the media.

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Adekunle Ajisebutu, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, also said on Sunday that he had not been briefed about the incident. However, he promised to reach FIJ after making enquiries.

‘SHE SEWED THE DRESS SHE WORE WHEN SHE WAS SHOT AT’

Before her death, Monsurat was aspiring to further her education. She excelled in the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) but was yet to be admitted because of COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption to school calendar.

“While she was waiting for university admission, I advised her mother to get her busy with a craft because of her diligence,” Oguntoyibo said.

“She was learning fashion design. In fact, she sewed the dress she wore when she was shot at.”

Born on August 11, 2003, Monsurat died on September 11, 2021 – exactly one month after her 18th birthday.

CORRIGENDUM: FIJ initially reported claims by two family members of the deceased that she was rejected by Randle General Hospital, Surulere, on account of an ongoing strike. We have since found it was the National Orthopaedic Hospital — not Randle — and will publish a follow-up on our findings.