The Lagos State Police Command is investigating circumstances surrounding the killing of Gafaru Buraimoh, a 31-year-old resident of Happy Land Estate in the Ajah area of the state, by one of its inspectors.

The command’s complaints unit told FIJ on Thursday that investigations were ongoing to unravel the events that led to Buraimoh’s death on Tuesday, December 6.

FIJ gathered that police officers attached to Ajiwe station in Ajah conducted a raid in a bid to arrest sellers of petrol in the black market, and began shooting sporadically on the night of that Tuesday.

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A stray bullet hit Buraimoh at about 10 pm, and he died soon afterwards. Residents of the area reacted angrily to the news and took to the streets to protest his demise.

Reacting to the development, Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesman for the Lagos police, issued a statement saying the officer, whose identity remains shrouded in mystery, had been disarmed, arrested and detained.

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His statement read, “At about 2330 hrs of Tuesday, December 06 2022, a shooting incident involving men of Ajah Division, resulted in the unfortunate death of Gafaru Buraimoh of Happy Land Estate, Ajah.”

“The officer behind the shooting, an inspector of police, was immediately disarmed and has been detained, as a full-scale investigation has commenced.

“The Lagos State Police Command, through the area commander, Elemoro and divisional police officer, Ajah, has since notified and established contact with the family.

“The command, while commiserating with the family of the deceased over the avoidable and most unfortunate incident, gives assurances that the already commenced investigation into the immediate and remote circumstances leading to the shooting will be brought to a speedy and conclusive end, while equally ensuring that justice is served.”

Ojukwu is a reporter with FIJ, in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.