Police Chaplain Detained for Shooting Tricycle Operator in Anger

A police chaplain, Mr. Moses Adekola, has been detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos, for allegedly shooting a tricycle operator, Mr. Anthony Samuel, on Tuesday in Ikeja area of the state.

A source said Adekola might be charged for attempted murder if found culpable after investigation.

He said, “Adekola was brought in under the orders of the commissioner of police and he will be charged with attempted murder. It’s really disappointing because Adekola is an assistant superintendent of police and a minister of God. He should know better.

“He is presently at the Homicide Section and has written statements. Also the blood-stained Keke NAPEP has been impounded and investigations are ongoing.”

Anthony, who is presently writhing in pains at the Federal Medical Centre, Lagos, said the policeman shot him while he was driving his tricycle popularly known as keke NAPEP.

He said, “On Tuesday, around 6pm, I was carrying passengers to Ikeja Bus Stop but on getting to Medical Road, I saw the policeman (Adekola) attempting to cross the road. So, I slowed down for him.

“However, the policeman still did not cross. So, I thought maybe he wanted me to drive past before he would cross. As I drove closer, he still attempted to cross so I swerved in the opposite direction and continued going.

“I later dropped off my passengers at Medical Road Junction and headed to Anifowose Street. As I approached, Oba Akran Road, the next thing I heard was a gunshot. The shot came from the rear glass of my tricycle, pierced my right shoulder.

“I was in so much pain and I thought I would die at the time. The vehicle was stained by my blood. The policeman abandoned his car and took an okada immediately after he had shot me.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that after allegedly shooting the 25-year-old operator, Adekola attempted to escape but he was chased by eyewitnesses.

When our correspondent visited the scene of the alleged crime on Thursday, the victim’s colleagues said Adekola attempted to shoot the eyewitnesses but was overpowered.

A keke operator, Michael Azu, said, “After the policeman shot Anthony, he wanted to escape so keke operators and okada riders chased him.

“As we tried to apprehend the policeman, he started waving his pistol to scare us away but he was easily overpowered because we were over 50.

“We would have attacked him but policemen attached to MAN Centre Division intervened and took him away, promising us that he would be punished.”

While the policeman was being chased, some people rushed Anthony to the emergency unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

The victim’s mother, Victoria Samuel, said the first aid treatment given to her son saved his life.

She said, “When he was rushed to LASUTH, the doctors responded swiftly and dressed his wounds but there was no bed space so he was referred to Federal Medical Centre.

“We were told that if not for the swift response of sympathisers and doctors at LASUTH, my son would have bled to death.”

The victim’s mother said she was disappointed that a chaplain, who ought to be a custodian of virtues, would attempt to kill her son.

A nurse at the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous because she was not authorised to speak to the press, said the victim would regain use of his arm after eight weeks.

She said, “He is very lucky that the bullet did not damage any vital organ. We performed a surgery on him and it was successful. So, he will be on drip for a while as he had lost a lot of blood.

“We also cast the affected arm with Plaster of Paris and will be dressing the wound everyday. Hopefully, he’ll regain full use of the arm after therapy.”

Anthony said although the police authorities promised to reimburse him, he had spent a lot on hospital bills.

He said, “My parents are unemployed and they depend on me to provide for them. Even after I’m discharged, I can’t resume work immediately.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she was unaware of the incident.

Source: Legit.ng