The tragic death of Temitope Oyetade, a Lagos resident, has ignited widespread outrage after he was allegedly chased into a canal by officers from the Area P Command.
Reports indicate that Oyetade was stopped by plainclothes police while riding his motorcycle from Ayobo to Oshodi on Wednesday morning. The officers reportedly searched him and accused him of being involved in internet fraud. Despite his protests of innocence, he was allegedly assaulted and threatened with gunfire.
In a bid to escape, Oyetade ran but fell into a canal. He was subsequently rescued and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for severe head injuries and placed on oxygen. Unfortunately, he was later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Eyewitnesses claimed that after Oyetade fell into the canal, the officers seized his money and shoes before fleeing the scene as onlookers raised alarm.
A friend of Oyetade’s wife, Betty Omowunmi, recounted the incident on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The police chased my friend’s husband until he fell into the canal. They took his slippers and money, then left when people started shouting. This happened at the Federal Bus Stop, Ipaja Ayobo area.”
She further described how the officers, dressed in plain clothes, had approached him on his bike, searched him, and accused him of being a “yahoo boy” due to his tattoos. Despite his denials, the situation escalated until he felt compelled to run.
In response to the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin acknowledged the situation. He stated, “We are verifying this claim and conducting a thorough investigation. We encourage anyone with further information to come forward.”
The Area Commander for the area is personally overseeing the investigation, and some officers have reportedly been detained as part of the inquiry.
As this case unfolds, it continues to raise critical questions about police conduct and accountability in Nigeria.
