Fuel shortage: Lagosian is shot dead by a police officer during an argument at a gas station

A yet to be identified police officer shot dead a Lagos resident who prevented him from jumping the queue to buy fuel at a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling station at Obalende, Ikoyi area in the Lagos State.

The officer, along with one of his colleagues, had gone to the gas station to buy fuel after reaching an agreement with the station manager on Wednesday.

However, people who had spent hours in line insisted that fuel attendants would not sell fuel to those who had just arrived.

Despite efforts to convince them, the residents stood their ground, leading to an argument.

The deceased identified as Toheeb Eniafe was said to have joined those preventing officers from purchasing fuel.

However, the situation escalated into violence and the officer reportedly shot Eniafe before fleeing the police station.

An angry mob is said to have chased and caught up with one of the officers, but he then escaped after firing shots into the air.

However, on Thursday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the person who shot Eniafe is a policeman.

In a tweet, Hundeyin said the officer is attached to the Special Protection Unit, Lion Building, Lagos Island.

“The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.”

“The investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available. “Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that no miscarriage of justice occurs.”

Police brutality sparked the EndSARS protest in 2020, but four years later, there have been cases of extrajudicial killings.

Nigerians are currently experiencing fuel shortages despite repeated assurances from the Federal Government that the situation is under control and normalcy will soon be restored.