Ado Ayuba, a police corporal from the Lagos State Police Command was beaten to death by some hoodlums
in Suru Alaba area of Lagos state for allegedly killing Mustapha Mohammed, a trader on July 30, 2013.
According to reports, Ayuba and another policeman were deployed to the scene to chase away traders who had illegally taken over a portion of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
It was learnt that trading activities by the traders usually caused gridlock in the area. It was also learnt that some residents and motorists had complained to relevant authorities about the inconveniences caused by the traders. It was said that a construction company working on the road had also made appeal to the government to check the traders.
According to a senior policeman, “Ayuba and the other policeman were posted to the area to chase away traders who had taken over that portion of the road. The road is under construction by Chinese Construction Engineering Company and the company had complained that its makeshift construction site was being hijacked by traders.
“On the day of the incident, Ayuba and another policeman were dispersing the traders when things went wrong.
“We were told that the traders overpowered the policemen and in an attempt to protect himself and his colleague, Ayuba opened fire into the crowd and killed a trader (Mohammed).
“Ayuba’s colleague immediately fled, leaving him alone with the hoodlums. The hoodlums seized Ayuba’s gun from him, picked up stones and sticks and beat him up without mercy.
“Some soldiers arrived at the scene and attempted to rescue the policeman. But the soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the uncontrollable mob, which overpowered them and chased them away.”
However, before the arrival of the police back-up, Ayuba was unconscious from the beatings he had received.
The policemen were said to have rushed Ayuba and Mohammed to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide said the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.
She said, “The matter is under investigation at the SCID. Investigations will reveal what happened.”