It was supposed to be a routine response to a distress call. By the end of the night, a two-year-old girl was dead.
The Lagos State Police Command has detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Omotayo Olajide, after a shooting in Ajegunle that killed the toddler and left another girl injured.
The incident unfolded between 9.30pm and 10pm on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in the Nosamu area of Ajegunle, within Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, the dead child has been identified as Omole Taiwo. She reportedly died from gunshot injuries after being rushed to hospital.
The second victim is receiving medical attention and is said to be in stable condition.
What the Police Say Happened
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, preliminary findings showed that Olajide and other officers were dispatched to the area after a distress call about a violent clash between two rival groups — the Nosamu Boys and the Alayabiagba Boys.
However, the groups were reportedly fighting over toll collection and were armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons when the police team arrived.
Sadly, Adebisi said that during the operation, Olajide fired his weapon, and the bullet struck the two girls.
However, both victims were initially rushed to Ajeromi General Hospital, but the deceased was later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where she died.
The Aftermath
The officer was immediately disarmed and detained, and the State Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the case.
You May Like: Nigeria’s Flamingos Win FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
The shooting has reportedly stirred tension in Ajegunle, with claims circulating that the officer may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time. The police statement did not confirm the allegation.
A Commissioner’s Promise
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai expressed sadness over the toddler’s death, saying the officer’s detention and the transfer of the case to the SCID were meant to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
He said the investigation would establish the circumstances of the shooting and determine the appropriate legal and disciplinary action.
Fatai visited the bereaved family to offer condolences and assured them that justice would be served.
Furthermore, he warned that no officer found responsible would be protected, stressing the command’s commitment to protecting lives, professionalism and accountability.
He urged anyone with useful information about the incident to report to the nearest police station or the command’s Public Relations Department.