Police arrest four over alleged mob killing in Lagos

Four people have been arrested in connection with the alleged mob killing of Basit Kolade after a road accident on Freeman Street, Lagos Island, the Lagos State Police Command said on Monday.

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The incident happened at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, 2 September.

The police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed in a statement that Mr Kolade was travelling with his spouse from Ebute Metta towards Lagos Island in a black Lexus SUV when a motorcycle allegedly rammed into the vehicle from behind.

The statement noted that the crash led to an argument between Mr Kolade and the motorcycle rider.

She explained that the vehicle later reversed and hit the motorcycle, throwing the rider and the motorcycle to the ground.

Ms Adebisi revealed that people gathered at the scene following the incident. Some of them allegedly attacked Mr Kolade with dangerous weapons.

His spouse was rescued by some women in the area. Mr Kolade was taken to Lagos Island General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

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The motorcycle rider survived and is receiving treatment in a hospital, according to the police.

Four suspects arrested

The suspects arrested by the police are Khalid Rafiq, 20; Gafar Rahim, 21; Ibrahim Azeez, 33; and Samos Momoh, 21.

The command explained that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other people suspected of taking part in the attack.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation and legal action.

The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, ordered investigators to identify everyone involved in the attack and bring them to justice.

The command stressed that it was treating the incident as homicide.

It also warned residents against mob attacks, saying no one has the right to arrest, try or punish another person outside the law.

The police cited Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution, which protects the right to life, as well as provisions of the Lagos State Criminal Law dealing with unlawful killing.

The command said its position was consistent with a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, that cases of mob action resulting in death should be treated as homicide.

It warned that anyone who takes part in, organises, incites or supports such attacks would be prosecuted.

Previous warnings

The Lagos police had issued similar warnings against mob violence in the past.

In 2016, the then Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, warned that people involved in mob attacks on suspected criminals would be prosecuted.

His warning came after several reported cases of mob violence in Lagos, including the alleged burning of two suspected kidnappers at Ajala Bus Stop, Ijaiye-Ojokoro, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Two days later, armed police officers reportedly intervened to stop a mob from lynching a suspected kidnapper at Ile-Zik, also along the expressway.

In another case, a man described at the time as a destitute who appeared to be mentally deranged was reportedly set ablaze after he was accused of possessing a telephone.

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Mr Owoseni said mob attacks could destroy evidence needed by investigators and put police officers at risk when they tried to stop them.

The issue was also raised in the Senate in November 2016 after reports that a seven-year-old boy had been lynched in Lagos over an allegation that he stole garri.

The report was disputed, including the boy’s age and whether the incident occurred as reported. The Lagos police stated at the time that they had no evidence confirming the alleged killing.

The Senate nevertheless condemned the reported cases of jungle justice and called on the police to investigate the matter and prosecute perpetrators of mob violence.