Four naval ratings have allegedly stabbed a policeman, Abion Ezekiel, to death in Satellite Town, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Ezekiel and his colleagues were on a patrol around Oluti Street when the ratings, including Onyekachi Egwumian, 27; and Ebubechukin Growth, 28, who were on a motorcycle, were flagged down by the cops.
The policemen’s action reportedly infuriated the ratings, who were said to be in mufti.
An argument subsequently ensued among the men, which degenerated.
The naval ratings were said to have stabbed Ezekiel in the neck and injured three passersby, who intervened in the matter.
A source said, “The incident happened around 8.15pm on Saturday, December 3, 2022. It involved four naval ratings attached to the Nigerian Navy Pay Office, Apapa. The ratings were not wearing their uniform.
“They were riding a motorcycle when they attacked a team of policemen on patrol at Oluti, Satellite Town, and in the process, the naval ratings stabbed one of the policemen, ASP Abion Ezekiel, in the chest with a jack knife and injured three yet-to-be-identified passersby who attempted to mediate.
“When policemen were mobilised to the scene, the policeman and the three other victims were rushed to the Adeyemi Hospital, Satellite Town, for treatment. The policeman was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. The three other injured passersby were treated and discharged.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the attack, said two of the ratings had been arrested.
He said, “The two naval ratings that were arrested have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.
“The knife used in stabbing the policeman has been recovered. The motorcycle has also been impounded. The naval authorities have been notified alongside the family of the deceased policeman. We contacted the naval authorities so that the other naval ratings involved would be released to us.”
However, the Information Officer, Western Naval Command, Edward Yeibo, said the naval ratings did not stab the policeman to death.
He said, “There were two naval ratings involved. It was gathered that the naval personnel were blocked by two policemen on a bike and an argument ensued between the two naval ratings and the policemen.
“In the process, the policemen, numbering about eight, and some hoodlums gathered and started hitting the ratings. Consequently, one of the policemen cocked his rifle, released a shot and everybody scampered to safety. Currently, a preliminary investigation is ongoing by the intelligence unit of the navy and the naval police.”
Reports of military officials attacking policemen are on the rise in Lagos.
In August 2022, a police inspector, Orukpe Monday, died from the torture he allegedly received from soldiers who attacked him and his colleagues in the Trade Fair area of the state.
