Tragedy struck on Wednesday at the Iyana-Ipaja roundabout in Lagos, when a suspected officer of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) named Oki Prince Joseph allegedly gunned down an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The LASTMA official identified as Adeyemo Rotimi, according to sources had flagged down the SARS officer for a traffic issue.
The SARS officer, we learnt, got down and warned the traffic official never to stop him again, adding that he didn’t have right to do so.
In the course of exchanging hot words, the angry officer returned to his car, brought out a gun and shot the traffic official. Many ran for safety after hearing the sound of the gun.
The SARS officer was said to have been arrested. Eyewitnesses said the officer drove a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number plate LSR 277 BJ.
The alleged killer was first taken Moshalashi Police Station along Ipaja Road before being transferred to State Command in Ikeja GRA.
The traffic official was rushed to Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead. His remains, according to sources have been deposited in a mortuary in Yaba, Lagos Mainland.
LASTMA Public Relations Officer Mahmud Hassan confirmed the incident.
Hassan said the investigation is ongoing.
When the SARS officer’s vehicle was searched for identification, guns, fake 1,000 Naira notes, ATM card, church ID card, business ID card and FSARS documents were recovered.