A police sergeant, Matthew Oche, attached to Metro Police Patrol Team, has been arrested for allegedly killing a civilian during an argument at Iddo checkpoint, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, has order the immediate arrest and detention of the sergeant.
The incident occurred at Iddo last Wednesday when the deceased, Mr. Francis Ogbole, was flagged down for a ‘Stopand- search’ by Oche. The deceased was said to be heading to his village in Benue State for his sister’s burial, when he met his death.
Ogbole’s children were said to have been with him at the time. Oche, with Force Number 372727, was alleged to have pushed Ogbole during an argument that ensued between them. The deceased slipped and hit his head on the concrete. He died on the spot.
After flagging Ogbole down, Oche thereafter asked for the particulars’ of the vehicle. Soon, they were arguing over tinted glass permit. One of Ogbole’s children, Mr. Ebonyi Ogbole, said: “My father was travelling to Benue State for the burial of his younger sister when he was killed.
The policeman flagged down his vehicle at Iddo Motor Park, in Oyingbo, for a ‘stop-andsearch.’ My siblings and I were in the car with him. He was stopped by the policeman. The policeman’s patrol van’s registration number is KSF-176 EE.
“The policeman requested for the necessary papers, which my father presented. My father was about entering into his car, when the policeman stopped him. He told my father that he couldn’t leave because the back glass of his car was tinted.
My father told him that the glass wasn’t tinted; pointing out that the glass appeared so, because it was not day-light. But the policeman appeared to be looking for a way to extort my father. An argument ensued between them. Out of anger, the policeman pushed my father and he fell.
He hit his head on the ground and died instantly.” The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident. She added that the sergeant had been arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID).
