Protest As Lagos Policemen Enforcing Ban Kill Motorcyclist

Policemen attached to the Sagamu Road Police Division, Lagos State Police Command, have allegedly shot dead a motorcyclist, Stephen Alabi, aka Doctor, at Sabo Market, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

Alabi and his colleagues were said to be at a park close to the Sabo Market when the policemen arrived to impound motorcycles from riders operating against the ban on motorcycle operations in the state.

A motorcyclist, Olawale Olawuwo, while speaking with Punch correspondent, said the policemen were attempting to seize a bike from his colleague when Alabi intervened, adding that one of the policemen shot him.

Olawuwo said, “The incident happened on Thursday; motorcyclists were at our park at the front gate of the Sabo Market when policemen stormed the premises to impound motorcycles. They were about seizing a bike from a motorcyclist when the deceased met them at the front gate of the market around 3pm.

“Alabi was trying to settle the matter between the motorcyclist and the policemen when one of the cops cocked his gun and started shooting; one of the stray bullets hit Alabi.

“We don’t know why the policemen started shooting; we attempted going to the Sagamu Road Police Station, but we were told that the policemen at the station would detain us if we went there because the policeman responsible for the bullet that struck Alabi was from the station.”

Another motorcyclist, who gave his name simply as Adam, while lamenting the incident, said immediately Alabi was shot, he was rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital but was rejected, adding that he died while receiving treatment at a private hospital.