The incident occurred between 9:30pm and 10pm on Thursday, November 5, in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State. Police authorities said the surviving victim was receiving medical attention and was in stable condition.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed that Olajide, who was attached to the Ajeromi Police Station, had been immediately disarmed and taken into custody. She added that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) had taken over the investigation.
According to Adebisi, preliminary investigations revealed that Olajide and other officers were responding to a distress call over a violent clash between two rival groups identified as the Nosamu Boys and Alayabiagba Boys.
The groups were reportedly engaged in a fight over toll collection and were allegedly armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons when the police team arrived at the scene.
Adebisi explained that Olajide discharged his firearm during the operation, with the bullet hitting both girls.
Although initial reports suggested that the officer might have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the shooting, the police statement did not confirm the allegation.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that both victims were initially rushed to Ajeromi General Hospital for treatment. However, Taiwo was later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where she eventually died.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, said the officer’s detention and the transfer of the case to the SCID were aimed at ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation.
He stated that the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and determine the appropriate legal or disciplinary action.
Fatai also visited the deceased child’s family to express his condolences, assuring them that any officer found culpable would not be protected.
He urged members of the public with useful information about the incident to report to the nearest police station or contact the command’s Public Relations Department.
