POLICEMAN SHOOTS YOUTHS DURING CARNIVAL, INJURES FOUR

No fewer than four persons were said to have sustained gun injuries after a drunken policeman, Corporal Emmanuel Ubi, reportedly opened fire on some youths during a carnival at Edumare Squad, Lagos Island. The names of the victims were given as Yusuf Abdullahi, 17; Lekan Bamgbala, 26; Deji Bamgbala, 18, and an unnamed youth. Source  learnt that the bullet pierced through the right leg of Abdullahi and came out from the other

side, while Deji was hit by a stray bullet in the wrist when he tried to rescue his brother, who was shot in the pelvic area. It was learnt that the incident happened around 9pm on Christmas Day.

Apart from the four persons said to have been hit by bullets, several others were reportedly injured while scampering for safety.

Source gathered that a police team, led by the Divisional Police Officer of the Adeniji Adele Police Station, had stormed the area to stop the carnival.

It was learnt that Ubi and one other officer, said to be in mufti, alighted from the patrol van parked a few kilometres away. The duo was said to have headed for the venue. Ubi reportedly opened fire on the gathering. Our correspondent learnt that an angry mob later descended on him; disarmed him and beat him to a pulp. A resident and eyewitness, Tunde Ajayi said, “All of a sudden, the policeman started shooting at us. When we eventually caught him, we noticed he was under the influence of alcohol.

“The policeman and the other victims were taken to the Marina General Hospital on Lagos Island.

“It was the DPO who later came to plead with the elders in the community before the gun seized from him was released.” In a visit to the hospital on Saturday, our correspondent met Abdullahi and his father.

Abdullahi said, “I am still feeling the pain though not as much as it was few days ago.” The father, Jimoh, said he was going to buy another prescribed drugs to reduce the pain of the boy’s injury. He said, “I am a transporter. I was on duty that fateful day when I received a call that my son was in a coma.

“Thank God that the bullet didn’t break his bone according to what the doctor told us. He is likely to be discharged on Monday (today). “The DPO had come to visit him and he gave us N25,000. He also assured us that the policeman would be sanctioned as soon as he is healthy.” Deji and Lekan, who works in a company on the Victoria Island, were sleeping when our correspondent visited their residence on Tapa Street. Lekan said, “My wife, son, Deji and I were at the event. There were about three different parties going on in that venue and everybody was catching fun.

“We just heard gunshots and the whole place was thrown into confusion. It was in the process that I was shot and my brother, while trying to rescue me, was also hit. We feel better now. The DPO gave us N15,000.” The Lagos State Police spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident, adding that Ubi would not go unpunished. He said, “Our men got an intelligence report that a party was being held on the Island and that hoodlums might cash in on it to cause mayhem.

“A corporal, Emmanuel Ubi, shot at the crowd and about four of them were injured. Only one of them is left in the hospital and he will be discharged very soon. The officer was also seriously beaten by a mob.

“We regard the act (shooting) as unprofessional and we have commenced a disciplinary action on him.

“As soon as he is discharged from the hospital, our decision will be made known.”