A police inspector attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos, yesterday reportedly mowed down a local sweeper. The inspector’s colleagues also allegedly injured several residents at the Ilupeju area of Lagos State.

The deceased, a hunchback, Francis Ene (39), who earned his living by sweeping people’s compound, was leaving a house at Adeshinyan Street, which he had just finished sweeping, when a stray bullet from the inspector’s gun got him. The inspector and other policemen were allegedly chasing some suspected cultists and the inspector was said to have opened fire in the community, unmindful that people were there.

One of his bullets got Francis. He died on the spot. The incident, which occurred about 8a.m. at Ajishegiri Street, caused anger as the news quickly travelled like a wildfire. A witness, John Adebayo, said he and other people were outside, when they saw policemen chase some boys in the community. He said: “It was not up to 20 minutes later, that a motorcycle rider came to inform us that someone had been shot dead at Ajisegiri Street. When we got there, it was Francis we saw on the ground.

His head had been shattered by the stray bullet that hit him. Blood was everywhere, while his working tools – broom and bucket – were beside his body. “Francis was an easy going person. He didn’t allow his predicament to stop him from working.

He was living with his sister at Number 11, Shobayo Street. It was unfortunate that we lost him in such a manner.” The victim’s sister, Miss Esther Ene, who spoke with our correspondent, said she was not at home when the incident occurred. She said: “Francis lived with me, but left home before me this morning. He left early so as to attend to the houses under his care.

In a day, he used to sweep 20 houses. I was in my work place when I received a phone call that my brother had been shot dead. “When I got home, I met a lot of crowd at our house. I didn’t know that when my brother was leaving home this morning, he was bidding me farewell. I learnt the policemen were chasing cultists in the community. I was shocked when I heard that the policemen were shooting in a community like Ajisegiri, where mechanic workshop and traders are.

There is a school here and school children are always on the street.” It was also learnt that two pupils of Kosi Bethel Primary School were on their way to school, when the police opened fire, killing Francis.

The two children were alleged to have burst into tears, when the victim’s head burst open, spilling his brains, with blood gushing. A resident, Mr. Henry Okoro, said that after the incident, he and other residents went to Ilupeju Police Station to make a formal complaint to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

He said: “To our surprise, the DPO told us that the stray bullet that killed Francis was fired from Mushin area. I want to urge the public to ask police how bullets from Mushin can kill someone at Ilupeju. It was a lie! The policeman that kills Francis targeted him.

We’re going to make sure that we get justice for the deceased. While we were still mourning Francis, three Black Maria drove into our community. Policemen started raiding everyone, even entering people’s houses. They bundled people into the Black Maria.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bala Elkana, while confirming the incident, explained that the policemen, who went to the Ajisegiri, were on their way to recover arms from a notorious gang when they were ambushed. He said: “Our policemen, while being led by a notorious gang leader, Ikechukwu Monye, to where their arms are kept, were ambushed by members of the gang along Ajisegiri Street, Ilupeju. The assailants shot sporadically, in the process killed a middle-aged man, who was passing by. The policemen were led by Inspector Mohammed Akeem. Following the ambush, police reinforcement was quickly drafted to the scene.

The whole area was cordoned with a view of apprehending members of the gang and brings them to justice. “Ilupeju has experienced violent attacks between members of Aiye and Eiye confraternities, who equally engage in heinous crimes such as armed robbery, rape, and murder. The gang in question is responsible for a series of robberies within Ilupeju and its environs. They have been on Police Wanted List for the murder of six persons during three robbery operations, which they carried out.”