Police deny chasing man to death in Lagos canal

A tragic incident occurred in the Ipaja area of Lagos State on Wednesday when a young man fell into a canal while allegedly being chased by police officers.

A tragic incident occurred in the Ipaja area of Lagos State on Wednesday when a young man fell into a canal while allegedly being chased by police officers.

In a post on X.com on Thursday, #Omorhemi, who claimed to be a friend of the victim’s wife, alleged that the police stopped the man on a bike, searched him, and accused him of being a “yahoo boy” due to his tattoos.

Sharing videos from the rescue effort, she wrote, “Yesterday morning, police chased my friend’s husband till he fell into the canal. They took his slippers and money that fell and left when people started shouting. This happened at federal bus stop, Ipaja Ayobo axis. He is currently unconscious at LASUTH. He is still on oxygen.”

“The officers were on mufti. They stopped him on bike, the bike man left. They searched him, insisting he is a Yahoo boy because of his tattoos, and started cocking their guns that they would shoot him. He started moving away, saying he’s not, and they started following him till he ran,” she added.

On Friday morning, #Omorhemi gave an update that the young died.

“He has given up! Yet to tell the wife as of now. I am not pleased to inform you that this young man died in the middle of the night.

“Immediately they sighted the police approaching in their vehicle; the rider made a sharp U-turn while the passenger jumped off the motorcycle, crossed the road, and ran through the nearby tipper garage.

“People in the garage who saw him running towards the canal and at the same time emptying the contents of his pockets agitatedly warned him about a canal ahead. He did not stop but unfortunately jumped into the canal.”

Hundeyin maintained that the police officers did not interact with the victim or chase him.

He added, “The police officers, startled at his knee-jerk reaction, stopped their vehicle, alighted, and went in the direction of the canal.

“The people around informed the police that the young man jumped into the canal. They all went to look, waited some minutes, and did not see him, upon which the police left, believing he successfully evaded them.

“The police officers did not speak with him, did not touch him, did not chase him, did nothing. The young man simply saw them and bolted.

“Water Tipper Garage, Mosan, Okunola, Ipaja. That is the exact location for those who might wish to visit for verification.”

The spokesperson also expressed condolences to the victim’s family, saying, “May God give his family the fortitude to bear the sad loss. Amen.”

He further assured the public that the police would not tolerate any unprofessional behaviour from their officers.

“Lagosians are assured that #LagosPoliceNG, under CP Olanrewaju Ishola, would not condone any form of unprofessional conduct on the part of its officers,” he said.

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