ASP stabbed to death as navy, police clash in Lagos

Lagos police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin

An assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Abion Hezikel has died following a clash with four naval ratings in the Satellite area of Lagos State.

It was gathered over the weekend that an argument erupted over traffic-related issue between policemen and the naval ratings, resulting into a fracas.

The clash reportedly left three passers-by injured from stab wounds by the naval ratings who were said to have used their jackknifes.

In his reaction, Lagos State police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that the case was under investigation and has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba.

Following the death of the ASP, two naval ratings, Onyekachi Egwumain, 27; and Ebubechukwu Growth, 28, were arrested. The other two ratings attached to the Nigerian Navy Central Pay office, Apapa are said to be on the run.

Hundeyin said the body of the deceased has been deposited at a public morgue in Yaba, and that his family has been duly contacted about the tragedy.

Meanwhile, spokesman of the Western Naval Command Commander Edward Yeibo said that preliminary investigations were ongoing concerning the clash.

He said: “They are allegations. The incident is related to a traffic offence where about eight policemen on bikes and some thugs stopped the naval ratings.

“An argument ensued and in an attempt for the ratings to fight back, a police officer brought out his rifle and released a shot. Everybody scampered to safety.”