A policeman, simply identified as Smart, from Ilaje Police Station, Bariga, Lagos, has killed a youth in the area following a disagreement between two rival groups over the sharing of N250,000.
The youth, Banji was hit by a bullet fired by the policeman.
The N250,000 was allegedly collected from the owner of a newly-constructed building in the area.
A source who claimed anonymity, said a member of one of the groups had invited the policeman to mediate when tension rose on how to share the money.
It was learnt that after the tension had subsided, the policeman was offered N20,000 but he felt cheated.
The source said, “When a new house is about to be built or has been built in the area, the touts go there to collect a charge – Owo Ile- from the owner. So, what happened was that the house falls between the jurisdictions of two different gangs. One of the group is from Seriki Street and the other from Odunisi Street. A faction of the gangs having realised that they may lose out, called a policeman, popularly called Smart to support them. On his arrival, he scared the opposition group away. After they have collected the money, the policeman was given N20, 000. He became angry and vowed to shoot if he was not given more money. Some of the area boys begged him, but he refused. Suddenly, he shot and a stray bullet killed Banji.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she was yet to be briefed on the incident and promised to call back as soon as she had details.
Nawa oh…
