Police officer detained for fatally shooting 2-year-old girl

The Lagos State Police Command has detained Assistant Superintendent of Police Omotayo Olajide after a shooting in the Nosamu area of Ajegunle left two-year-old Omole Taiwo dead and another girl injured.

The shooting occurred between 9:30pm and 10pm on Thursday, November 5, in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area. Police said the injured girl was receiving treatment and was in stable condition.

In a statement on Saturday, police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi said Olajide, who was attached to Ajeromi Police Station, was immediately disarmed and detained. The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has taken over the case.

Adebisi said preliminary findings showed that Olajide and other officers had responded to a distress call about a violent clash between two groups identified as the Nosamu Boys and the Alayabiagba Boys. The groups were reportedly fighting over toll collection.

“The groups were said to have been armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons when the police team arrived,” Adebisi said.

According to the spokesperson, Olajide discharged his firearm during the operation and the bullet struck both girls. Initial reports suggested the officer may have been under the influence of alcohol, but the police statement did not confirm that allegation.

“Both victims were initially rushed to Ajeromi General Hospital, but the deceased was subsequently transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where she later died,” Adebisi said.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai said the officer’s detention and the transfer of the case to the SCID were intended to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. He said the findings would establish the circumstances of the shooting and determine what legal or disciplinary action should follow.

Fatai visited Taiwo’s family to offer his condolences and assured them that no officer found responsible would be shielded. He urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact the nearest police station or the command’s Public Relations Department.