The Lagos State Police Command has reported that a man jumped into a canal and died while trying to avoid arrest in the Ipaja area of the state. According to SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, the incident occurred on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in Mosan Okunola, Ipaja.
“The young man was a passenger on a motorcycle, riding against the traffic. Immediately they sighted the police approaching in their vehicle, the rider made a sharp U-turn while the passenger jumped off the motorcycle, crossed the road, and ran through a nearby tipper garage,” Hundeyin said.
“People in the garage who saw him running towards the canal and at the same time emptying the contents of his pockets agitatedly warned him about a canal ahead. He did not stop but unfortunately jumped into the canal,” Hundeyin added.
Hundeyin clarified that contrary to reports, the police did not chase the man into the canal. Instead, the police officers, startled by his behavior, stopped their vehicle and went in the direction of the canal.
“The police officers did not speak with him; did not touch him, did not chase him, did nothing. The young man simply saw them and bolted,” Hundeyin emphasized.
“They all went to look, waited some minutes, did not see him, upon which the police left, believing he successfully evaded them,” Hundeyin said.
The Lagos State Police Command, under CP Olanrewaju Ishola, assures that it will not tolerate any unprofessional conduct from its officers. Hundeyin extended condolences to the deceased’s family.
“I pray God gives the deceased’s family the fortitude to bear this loss,” Hundeyin said.
