[By Abigail Philip David]
A man, yet to be identified, has died after falling into a canal in the Ayobo area of Ipaja, Lagos State, while attempting to escape arrest by police officers who allegedly accused him of being a fraudster.
According to reports, the man was chased by plain-clothed policemen who suspected him of internet fraud due to his tattoos. In a series of tweets posted by a user on X.com, identified as a friend of the man’s wife, it was revealed that the victim fell into the canal while fleeing and was later rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja GRA. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.
The tweets claim that police officers seized the man’s slippers and money before leaving the scene as bystanders began to shout. The user, Omorhemi, stated, “Yesterday morning, the police chased my friend’s husband till he fell into the canal… They stopped him, searched him, accused him of being a Yahoo boy because of his tattoos, and started cocking their guns.”
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, responded to the allegations on X.com, saying that the incident had not yet been officially reported but that an investigation was underway. He urged anyone with more information to come forward. The Area Commander for the region is personally overseeing the case.
On Friday, Omorhemi posted an update confirming the man’s death on Wednesday night at the hospital. She also claimed that two officers involved in the chase had been detained, thanks to eyewitnesses who identified them.
When contacted for confirmation regarding the officers’ detention, Hundeyin stated he was aware of the situation, and investigations are continuing.
