The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports that its men were chasing a young man who jumped into a canal in Gowon Estate, Ipaja-Ayobo, Lagos, and died.
In a statement, Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said eyewitnesses confirmed that the man was not being chased or physically engaged by the police before the tragic incident occurred.
Hundeyin stated that eyewitnesses narrated that at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the deceased was a passenger on a motorcycle that was riding against traffic in the Gowon Estate area.
”As soon as the rider and his passenger noticed a police vehicle approaching, the motorcyclist made a sudden U-turn while the young man leaped off the bike.
”He quickly crossed the road, ran through a nearby tipper garage, and emptied his pockets while heading toward the canal.
”Despite warnings from people in the garage who saw him running, urging him to stop due to the canal ahead, the young man continued and unfortunately jumped into the water.
”The police officers, taken aback by his abrupt actions, stopped their vehicle and followed in his direction, only to be informed by witnesses that the man had jumped into the canal.
”The officers, along with bystanders, searched the area for several minutes but were unable to locate him. Believing he had managed to evade them, the police left the scene.
“The officers neither spoke to, touched, nor chased the man.
“He simply panicked upon seeing the police and bolted. May God give his family the strength to bear this tragic loss,” Hundeyin explained.
In an earlier report, an X user had called the attention of the Lagos State Police Command to the incident, claiming her friend’s husband had been chased by police officers until he fell into a canal in the Ipaja-Ayobo axis.
According to her, the police allegedly took the man’s slippers and money that fell during the incident before leaving when onlookers began shouting.
The man was later found unconscious and is currently receiving treatment at LASUTH.
While acknowledging public concerns, Hundeyin emphasized that the Lagos State Police Command under Commissioner Olanrewaju Ishola is committed to maintaining professionalism and will not tolerate any form of misconduct by its officers.
He assured Lagosians that the police would continue to investigate such claims thoroughly and act in accordance with the law.
