Police Shoots Colleague Dead Over Dispute About a Used Phone

The Nigeria Police Force is investigating a tragic shooting incident involving police aides assigned to Barrister Wale Fapohunda in the Surulere area of Lagos State. On August 8, 2024, at approximately 10:22 pm, Corporal Umar Lawal, a police officer from SPU Base 10 Sokoto, shot and killed Gabriel Audu, a legion officer also assigned to the same lawyer.

According to the police report, Corporal Lawal confessed that the shooting occurred during a heated argument with another officer, Vincent, over a used phone he had purchased. Lawal claimed he intended to shoot Vincent, but the bullet struck Audu in the chest instead. Despite being rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Audu was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The police have since apprehended Corporal Lawal, recovered the AK-47 rifle used in the shooting, and placed Audu's body in the hospital morgue for an autopsy as investigations continue.