Lagos birthday party shooting accidental, say Police

The Lagos State Police Command has said the shooting by an officer attached to the command that led to the death of two businessmen during a birthday party in the Iyana Ipaja area of the state was accidental.

The PUNCH had reported that a policeman serving at the state command headquarters in Ikeja went into hiding after allegedly shooting two businessmen to death.

It was learnt that the cop, alongside the victims, and other guests, gathered at a bar to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

But reacting to the incident in a statement on Wednesday, the Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, who identified the cop involved as Inspector Mohammed Hussini, said the suspect was an off-duty police officer.

According to him, the officer is a friend of the celebrant, Ifeanyi aka Obama and was not at the party in any official capacity.

The statement which was titled, ‘Re: Shooting incident at birthday party in Egbeda’, read “On Sunday, April 24, 2022, at about 2100hrs, a shooting incident occurred at La Silver Bar, Egbeda which resulted in the death of two persons and injuries to others.

“Upon receipt of the information, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc ordered an immediate full-scale investigation into circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

“While investigation is ongoing, findings so far reveal that the shooting was accidental and involved an off-duty police officer, Inspr Mohammed Hussini, serving at the State Headquarters, Ikeja. Findings equally reveal that the off-duty officer is a friend of the celebrant, Ifeanyi aka Obama, and was not at the party in any official capacity.

“Efforts are currently being intensified to apprehend the fleeing birthday celebrant while the officer involved is expected to turn himself in anytime soon.

“CP Alabi has given firm assurances that everyone found culpable in the sad and avoidable incident will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.”