Nigerian Policeman Fatally Shoots Colleague During Argument Over Second-Hand Phone In Lagos

A tragic incident occurred in Lagos State on August 8, 2024, when a Nigerian policeman shot and killed his colleague during an argument over a second-hand phone.

According to a press statement issued by the Lagos State Police Command, the incident took place in the Surulere area and involved police aides attached to Barrister Wale Fapohunda, a lawyer.

The statement detailed that the confrontation between the officers escalated, leading to the fatal shooting. The police report indicated that Corporal Umar Lawal, assigned to Barrister Fapohunda from SPU Base 10 in Sokoto, shot and killed Gabriel Audu, another aide to the lawyer, at approximately 10:22 p.m.

Lawal, who was apprehended at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), reportedly confessed to the crime, explaining that he intended to shoot another individual, Vincent, also known as “Dogman,” with whom he had a heated argument over the purchase of a used phone. However, the bullet struck Audu in the chest instead.

Following the incident, Audu was rushed to LUTH, where he was pronounced dead. His body has since been placed in the hospital morgue for an autopsy.

The police have launched a full investigation into the shooting, and Lawal’s service rifle, an AK-47 used in the incident, has been recovered.