The Lagos State Police Command has denied being responsible for the death of a 14-year-old girl at a rally held in Lagos today, Saturday, July 3, 2021.
Ist News had reported that the young trader was hit by a stray bullet near the venue.
The rally was organized by a coalition of self-determination groups known as Ilana Omo Oodua; agitating for the independence of the Yoruba Nation. Further, the rally, which had popular Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho as one of the masterminds, had gone ahead in his absence; despite the strong warnings from the Lagos State Government and the Police Command to the contrary.
The gruesome killing of the young girl had cast a shadow over the otherwise peaceful rally which saw the Police arrest and harass a number of the campaigners. However, in a swift reaction, the Police had debunked reports of the death of the minor; even as it claimed that no shot was fired by its operatives.
ALSO READ: Lagos rally for Yoruba Nation agitation turns ugly as police stray bullet kills young trader
The statement was signed by the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Muyiwa Adéjọbí.
“The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a news making rounds that a 14 year-old girl was hit and killed by police bullet today; 3rd July, 2021 at the venue of the Oodua Republic Mega Rally in Ojota, Lagos.
“The Command hereby wishes to debunk the rumour… It’s a calculated attempt to create confusion and fears in the minds of the good people of Lagos State and the country at large. The Command did not fire a single live bullet at Ojota rally today,” the statement read in part.
Further, the statement held that the deceased had died in an earlier incident unrelated to the rally.
“The said corpse was found wrapped and abandoned at a distance, far from Ojota venue of the rally; behind MRS Filling Station, inward Maryland, on the other side of the venue; with dried blood stains suggesting that the corpse is not fresh.
“After a close look at the corpse; a wound suspectedly sustained from a sharp object was seen on it. The news is false and mischievous. The Command therefore urges the general public to disregard the news and go about their lawful normal daily activities; while investigation to unravel the incident will commence immediately.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, therefore commiserates with the family of the found deceased and assures that thorough investigation will be carried out.”
