A police officer, Istifanus Kwanchi, who was caught on camera shooting in Ladipo Market has been arrested and his trial has begun.
This was made known by the Lagos State Police Command spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday through his official X handle.
The Lagos Police Command also disclosed that it had commenced disciplinary proceedings against Kwanchi over unprofessional, unethical and dangerous behaviour.
According to Hundeyin, deviant behavioiur by any officer under the command would be thoroughly dealt with.
He posted, “The Lagos State Police Command has identified the person in a viral video shooting an AK-47 rifle in Ladipo Market as Inspector Istifanus Kwanchi, serving in a Lagos squadron of the Mobile Police (MOPOL).
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has ordered the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against the officer for his unprofessional, unethical and dangerous behaviour.
“Meanwhile, members of the public are at this moment assured that the command will not tolerate any form of deviant behaviour from its officers and men, while those found culpable will be dealt with following laid down rules.”
A video had trended on social media last Tuesday, where a police officer was among Lagos residents jubilating on the street following the reopening of Ladipo Market.
Kwanchi was seen firing shots with an AK-47 rifle into the air among the civilians.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has arraigned a man, Damian Kelikume, for allegedly locking himself inside his apartment and unleashing his dogs on detectives who came to arrest him, at No. 42 Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, Railway compound Ebute-Metta, Lagos State.
The 35-year-old was on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate A. O. Akinde of a Magistrates’ Court in Ebute Metta, on five counts of stealing, assault, causing bodily harm, trying to evade arrest, and releasing dogs on detectives.
Kelikume was said to have unleashed the dogs on the detectives who were at his residence on October 9, 2023, around 5.30pm to arrest him.
The defendant and his accomplices were accused of allegedly stealing an iPhone 11 Pro-max and cash belonging to one Peace Raphael, and of also assaulting the victim by tearing his clothes and causing him bodily harm.
The prosecutor, ASP Katuka Jibo, told the court that the offences contravened Sections 280, and 170, and are punishable under Sections 411, 287, 172, 54, and 117, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
The magistrate granted him (Kelikume) bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till November 7, 2023, for mention.