Man In Critical Condition After Police Encounter In Lagos.
A young man is currently fighting for his life at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) following a disturbing encounter with operatives from the Lagos State Police Command. The incident took place on the morning of Wednesday, October 16, in the Ipaja area of Lagos State.
According to reports shared by a witness on X (formerly Twitter), the man, identified as the husband of the witness’s friend, was pursued by police officers before falling into a canal near the Federal Bus Stop in the Ipaja-Ayobo axis. The witness, known as Omorhemi, stated that the police accused the man of being a “yahoo boy” due to his tattoos. Despite denying the allegations, the officers allegedly threatened him, leading to a chase that culminated in his fall into the canal.
Eyewitnesses captured video footage showing local youths rescuing the man from the canal. The victim, unconscious at the scene, was later rushed to LASUTH, where he remains in critical condition.
The officers involved were reportedly in plain clothes at the time of the incident. Eyewitness accounts allege that they confiscated the man’s belongings, including his slippers and money, before fleeing when bystanders began raising alarm.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the Lagos State Police Command regarding the incident, sparking public outrage and calls for accountability.
This incident has raised concerns over police conduct in the state, especially in regard to profiling based on appearance and the use of excessive force during encounters with civilians.