Police–community clash in Onosa, Lagos leaves three injured. CP Jimoh intervenes, officers in custody as probe begins to ensure transparency.
Residents of Onosa, a community within the Elemoro axis of Lagos State, were thrown into panic on Friday following a violent clash between a police patrol team and an angry mob, which resulted in three people sustaining gunshot injuries.
According to an official statement by the Lagos State Police Command, the incident began in the early hours of the morning when six officers attached to the Elemoro Police Division embarked on a routine patrol of the area.
During the operation, the patrol team encountered an irate crowd whose conduct, according to the police, posed a threat to their safety.
In an attempt to disperse the mob and restore calm, the officers reportedly fired several shots.
Unfortunately, three individuals were hit by stray bullets in the process. They were quickly rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
Their current medical condition, however, was not immediately disclosed by the authorities.
The shooting triggered outrage among residents, some of whom erected barricades on major roads leading in and out of the community.
Vehicular traffic was brought to a halt as the atmosphere grew tense, with fears that the situation could degenerate into a full-scale riot if not quickly contained.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, led a reinforcement team to Onosa to take control of the situation.
The police chief personally supervised the dismantling of roadblocks mounted by angry residents, which allowed the free flow of traffic to resume. His arrival also helped to calm nerves, preventing the unrest from escalating further.
While at the scene, CP Jimoh held an emergency meeting with community stakeholders, including youth leaders, elders, and traditional representatives of Onosa.
He appealed for restraint and urged residents to avoid confrontations with security operatives.
The commissioner emphasized the importance of dialogue as a peaceful means of resolving disputes between the police and the community.
In a move to demonstrate accountability, the Lagos Police Command confirmed that the officers involved in the shooting have been placed in custody pending the outcome of investigations.
Authorities assured the public that the probe would be “thorough, impartial, and transparent,” adding that any officer found culpable would face disciplinary action in accordance with the law.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, also addressed the press, confirming that normalcy had been restored to the Onosa community.
He explained that although calm had returned, a reinforced security presence would remain in place for the time being to ensure peace and stability.
Hundeyin further appealed to residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, stressing that attacks on police personnel or the destruction of public property would only worsen security challenges.
He advised the public to remain law-abiding, exercise patience, and allow the investigation to run its course.
The Onosa incident has once again brought to the fore the delicate relationship between the police and communities in Lagos State.
While the police insist that they often come under attack during operations, residents frequently accuse security operatives of using excessive force, particularly in densely populated areas.
