. Corpse abandoned at distance from rally venue not fresh – PPRO
Police authorities in Lagos have denied that its operatives fired the stray bullet that killed a 14-year-old sales girl at her shop in Ojota during Saturday’s Yoruba Nation mega rally.
Media reports had said that the teenage sales girl, simply identified as Jumoke, was hit by a stray bullet fired by policemen attempting to disperse Yoruba Nation agitators gathering at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos, venue of the rally.
But the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement titled, “Re: Alleged Killing of 14 year-old Girl at Oodua Rally in Lagos,” said police operatives deployed at the venue of the rally did not fire “a single live bullet” at the protesters.
He said the corpse of the deceased, which was found wrapped and abandoned at a distance from the venue of the rally, bore evidence of injuries inflicted by sharp objects.
The police spokesman added that the corpse of the teenager also on it dried blood stains, “suggesting that the corpse is not fresh.”
Adejobi, therefore, said media reports on the killing of the teenager by stray bullet from the police was part of the “calculated attempt to create confusion and fears” amongst Lagosians and other Nigerians.
While urging Nigerians to go about their normal business and disregard the news of the killing of the teenager as
“false and mischievous,” the PPRO said the Command would promptly launch an investigation into the incident to unravel the truth.
The full text of the Lagos Police Command’s statement on the alleged killing of the teenage girl read: “Re: Alleged Killing of 14 year-old Girl at Oodua Rally in Lagos
“The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a news making rounds that a 14 year-old girl was hit and killed by police bullet today 3rd July, 2021 at the venue of the Oodua Republic Mega Rally in Ojota, Lagos.
“The Command hereby wishes to debunk the rumour and state categorically that it’s a calculated attempt to create confusion and fears in the minds of the good people of Lagos State and the country at large.
“The Command did not fire a single live bullet at Ojota rally today. The said corpse was found wrapped and abandoned at a distance, far from Ojota venue of the rally, behind MRS Filling Station, inward Maryland, on the other side of the venue, with dried blood stains suggesting that the corpse is not fresh. After a close look at the corpse, a wound suspectedly sustained from a sharp object was seen on it.
“The news is false and mischievous. The Command therefore urges the general public to disregard the news and go about their lawful normal daily activities while investigation to unravel the incident will commence immediately. The Commissioner of Police,Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, therefore commiserates with the family of the found deceased and assures that thorough investigation will be carried out.
“The Command equally wishes to warn against the spread or peddling of fake and unconfirmed stories as such could be dangerous and counterproductive.
Thanks.
E-SIGNED
CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI (mnipr)
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
LAGOS STATE COMMAND
DATED 3RD JULY, 2021.