The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that five officers attached to the Area N Command, Ijede, Ikorodu, have been summoned over a faceoff they had with a motorist in the area.

A video that circulated online showed some police officers leaving a crowded filling station while residents shouted at them. “Thief!” they screamed as they booed the officers away.

An X user @PIDOMNIGERIA had alleged that the policemen fired shots at the motorist, who came out of a fuel station after purchasing fuel without considering the volatility of a fuel-loaded tanker parked on the premises of the fuel station.

The tweep said, “This happened a few minutes ago, at Ijede Road Ikorodu Gbaga Bus Stop, around 11:10 am.

“The young man in the red Corolla just bought fuel from the filling station and was driving out when this police team tried to double cross him with their unmarked tinted glass Korope (yellow bus). He tried to reverse back out of fear, but the next thing (was that) they opened fire on him right inside the filling station. Even with a petrol tanker inside the station.”

The X user noted that residents, who feared that the motorist was dead, charged at the officers, who eventually “bolted” in the yellow bus.

“The people around felt they had killed the driver so they trooped out to confront the police team in anger. The next thing, the rogue police team bolted when they saw the crowd, and realised they were being recorded.”

Reacting in a statement on his X handle on Wednesday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said contrary to claims that the motorist was double-crossed and shots fired, the policemen were only trying to arrest the driver for a traffic infraction.

Hundeyin said, “The five men led by an ASP, all serving at Area N, Ijede, have been identified and summoned to the headquarters for further investigation and necessary actions.

“Preliminary investigation suggests that the driver of the red Corolla with registration number JJJ685GD headed out of the petrol station, driving against traffic. The policemen saw him and attempted to stop him. Upon sighting the officers, the Corolla driver drove in reverse into the petrol station. All the scratches on the car and cracks on the windscreen allegedly emanated from the Corolla car hitting the parked trailer while in reverse.”

Another video of the incident shared by Hundeyin showed the red Corolla vehicle reversing into the filling station.

The PPRO stated that the officers were confronted by an irate crowd as the incident escalated, adding that in the officers’ bid to prevent further confrontation with the already charged crowd, they left the scene.

“A detailed investigation is being launched into the incident to ascertain the extent of unprofessionalism of the police officers. The driver of the vehicle and eyewitnesses are encouraged to give useful information, physically or electronically through our various channels. The public will be kept updated on the progress of the investigation,” Hundeyin said.