Mob beat policeman to death for killing trader

Some policemen in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigations into the killing of a police corporal, Ado Ayuba, who was lynched by some hoodlums in Suru Alaba area of the state.

According to the police, the victim was beaten to death by an irate mob for allegedly killing a trader, Mustapha Mohammed, on July 30, 2013.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Ayuba and another policeman were deployed to the scene to chase away traders who had illegally taken over a portion of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

It was learnt that trading activities by the traders usually caused gridlock in the area. It was also learnt that some residents and motorists had complained to relevant authorities about the inconveniences caused by the traders. It was said that a construction company working on the road had also made appeal to the government to check the traders.

A senior policeman, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said, “Ayuba and the policeman were posted to the area to chase away traders who had taken over that portion of the road. The road is under construction by Chinese Construction Engineering Company and the company had complained that its makeshift construction site was being hijacked by traders.

“On the day of the incident, Ayuba and another policeman were dispersing the traders when things went wrong.

“We were told that the traders overpowered the policemen and in an attempt to protect himself and his colleague, Ayuba opened fire into the crowd and killed a trader (Mohammed).

“Ayuba’s colleague immediately fled, leaving him alone with the hoodlums. The hoodlums seized Ayuba’s gun from him, picked up stones and sticks and beat him up without mercy.

“Some soldiers arrived at the scene and attempted to rescue the policeman. But the soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the uncontrollable mob, which overpowered them and chased them away.”

Our correspondent learnt that by the time the police back-up arrived and managed to disperse the mob, Ayuba was unconscious from the beatings he had received.

The policemen were said to have rushed Ayuba and Mohammed to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, told our correspondent that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

She said, “The matter is under investigation at the SCID. Investigations will reveal what happened.”