Badagry killing: CP berates DPO, orders policemen’s arrest

AUGUST 2, 2013 

Lagos State Police Commissioner, Umar Manko, has ordered the arrest of policemen fingered in the killing of two boys in Badagry.

The PUNCH had reported that an undergraduate of the Delta State University, Ifechukwude Nwaikpor, and his friend, Kazeem, were beaten to death by policemen and hoodlums in Ajara area of Badagry on July 21, 2013.

Manko, who said he would head investigation into the matter, blamed the Badagry Divisional Police Officer,  Mohammed Dankoli, for tagging the late schoolboys armed robbers.

The CP added that he ordered the immediate arrest of the policemen spotted in the video clip which showed how the boys  were killed by members of a vigilance group.

He said, “Actually, the Divisional Police Officer did not present the matter to us the way it happened.  When we started asking questions, we discovered that the two people, who were killed, were not armed robbers as alleged contrary to what the DPO told us.

“When we saw the video clips and watched the way those boys were killed, we told ourselves that we would be failing in our duties if we fail to bring everyone involved to justice.”

Manko said he was not satisfied with the slow pace at which investigations were done and ordered the transfer of the matter to his office at GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

He  also mandated a senior police officer in charge of Maroko Police Station, CSP Johnson Adenola, who he described as “an upright man” to superintend the trial of all civilians and policemen fingered in the matter.

 He said, “Initially, the matter was sent to State Criminal Investigation Department, but they were not moving at the pace I expected them, so I decided to take over the matter personally.

“I have brought the best hands in my command together under the leadership of DPO of Maroko Police Station, whom people have discovered to be an upright police officer.

  “He and his team would be supervised by me and we would ensure that people do not take laws into their hands next time. No one has right to take the life of another. We have one suspect in custody already and we will get the others. I will not tolerate impunity by anyone.”