There is growing tension in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, between policemen and officers of the Department of State Services after two cops were shot on the premises of the DSS in Ado Ekiti, leading to the death of one of them.
It was gathered that the policemen, Sergeant Sylvester Malik and Corporal Mough Tergwu, were serving at the Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Lokoja, Kogi State.....
Sources told our PUNCH that the policemen were attached by the SPU to a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas.
It was learnt that the DSS officers had stormed Thomas’ house in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday in three Hilux vehicles to invite the former executive secretary to their office in the state capital.
One of the sources said,
“It was Sylvester that even opened the gate for them. Once they made their intention known, the man (Thomas) agreed to follow them.”
The former executive secretary, it was learnt, followed the DSS officers in his Highlander, with number plate, FCT 408 ABJ.The two policemen were also said to have accompanied Thomas to the DSS office.
Trouble, however, started on the premises of the DSS after some of its officials complained that the policemen were armed.It was gathered that during an argument, the policemen were shot.
A source said the policemen offered to stay outside, that they could not hand over their firearms to the DSS men.
He said,
“Nobody knew what transpired afterwards, but suddenly there were sounds of gunshots and soon after, the two policemen were lying in a pool of blood. The policemen did not quarrel with them, so I don’t know what happened. Malik was shot thrice in the stomach. It was a real mess.”
It was learnt that Malik died immediately while Tergwu was rushed to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. Malik’s remains were also taken to the hospital’s morgue.
The spokesperson for the police in the state, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, said the command was aware of the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.
He said,
“We have already sent out SITREP to the Force headquarters in Abuja. As soon as we heard, the Deputy Commissioner of Police on ground, and the AC OPS went to the DSS office. They confirmed that two policemen were shot on the premises of the DSS. One died, while the other one is still receiving treatment. We have told the DSS to hand over the officers responsible for the shooting to the police. ”
The Force spokesperson, ACP Olabisi Kolawole said, “The culprits will be prosecuted.”
