Police Kills Man Who Went To Ask Friend For Monies Owed Him..

Protesting youths at Sobo bus stop, Akowonjo, Lagos State, went on the rampage on Thursday after a mobile policeman shot dead a 23-year-old man, identified only as Niyi, aka Para.

As some operatives reportedly whisked away the killer cop in a van, the protesters resorted to violence, vandalising a hotel, shops and vehicles parked by the roadside in the area.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the policeman was one of the security officers attached to the hotel – Erico Bellisima Hotels – which is located some distance away from the bus stop.

A version of the story said Niyi had been at loggerheads with a friend, identified only as Santo, over a sum of N5.2m Niyi sent to him in tranches for safekeeping while he was in South Africa.

Punch gathered that the deceased returned from South Africa last week to reclaim the money after he was told that Santo converted it to personal use.

Another account stated that the money was Niyi’s share of an undisclosed deal carried out by Santo on his behalf.

After failed attempts to get the sum from Santo, he was said to have reported the case to policemen at a division in the neighbourhood.

The policemen reportedly told him to alert them once he sighted Santo in the hotel, where he always stayed.

Around 7am on Thursday, Niyi and his friends reportedly visited the hotel to verify if he was there.

A resident of the area, Segun Ajayi, said Niyi was into an undisclosed Internet business, through which he realised the money.

He said, “Niyi had not been in the country for a while. He just returned last week. While he was in South Africa, he did a job and told his friend, Santo, to help him pick up some money which was about N5.2m. He told him to keep the money. But before he came back, Santo had started spending it.

“He lodged at Erico Bellisima Hotels. Niyi had been going to check him at the hotel, but the receptionist insisted Santo was not there. He and his friends went there this morning (Thursday) and confirmed Santo was there. Niyi called operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. They said they were on their way and that he should ensure Santo did not leave the premises.

“Santo sent a worker to check if Niyi and his friends were still around. They beat the worker. A policeman securing the hotel came in and instead of asking what happened, he started shooting. He chased the men and shot Niyi in the leg; the man fell. As he was struggling to stand, he shot him in the back at a close range and he died on the spot. The policeman knew Niyi very well; he was probably aware of the N5.2m deal.”

Punch visited the scene and observed that the blood of the victim had coagulated beside a gutter where he was reportedly felled by the bullets.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the killing

The policeman is in custody and investigation is ongoing,” he added.

The PPRO promised to get back to Punch with details of the suspect.

He had, however, yet to do so as of press time.

Efforts to speak with the management of the hotel proved abortive as the facility was shut as of 1pm when Punch left the area.

Edited from Punch

*Looks like a hit Job so the other friend will not return the Money.