Ogun CP summons officers linked to 27-year-old caterer’s shooting

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State,  Lanre Ogunlowo, has summoned the officers involved in the shooting of 27-year-old caterer, Tomiwa Oni, on July 24, 2024, at a checkpoint in Itele, Ota, Ogun State.

This is as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered urgent intervention to ensure accountability and support for the victim.

PUNCH Metro reported that Tomiwa was said to be returning from her place of work on July 23, 2024, around 10 pm, when her car was stopped along Lafenwa-Ota Road by the police officers.

The officers were said to have demanded money from her but she could not provide it.

This allegedly angered one of the officers who fired a shot that pierced through the car, hit Irewoletomiwa and then ripped through her stomach.

The bullet was also reported to have damaged her womb in the process.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the officers had yet to be reprimanded by the police authorities since the incident.

A police source however told our correspondent on Sunday that the officers were ordered to report at the command headquarters at Eleweeran in Abeokuta today.

The source said, “The officers involved in the shooting have been summoned to the command headquarters. This was due to the intervention of the Inspector General of Police.  The order was given on Saturday with immediate effect but because it was a weekend, they had to shift it till Monday. They were also asked to move their belongings with them when coming. We don’t know what the outcome of the summon will be until they arrive on Monday.”

Although the police command had yet to reveal the identities of the police officers, our correspondent gathered they included four males and a female.

Before the summon, Ogunlowo led the IGP’s team to the victim’s home in Ota on Saturday, reassuring them of the police’s dedication to her well-being.

He also added that disciplinary measures would be taken against the officers involved.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, stated that the visit aimed to evaluate her recovery progress and offer further assurances of support.

The statement read, “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has mandated urgent intervention regarding the tragic shooting incident that occurred on July 24, 2024, at a police checkpoint in Itele, Ota, Ogun State. This incident involved police officers who, during a routine vehicle stop, discharged their firearms when a Lexus vehicle flagged down had attempted to flee, resulting in a stray bullet striking 27-year-old Tomiwa Oni Odofa, an occupant of the vehicle.

“Upon learning of this unfortunate event, the Ogun State Police Command acted swiftly to ensure that Tomiwa received the necessary medical attention and constant check-ups until her discharge. The officers involved in the incident were identified and underwent thorough disciplinary processes to address their actions.”

“In a demonstration of commitment to justice and accountability, the IGP has directed the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, and team, to visit Tomiwa’s family in Ota. This visit aims to assess her progress in recovery and to provide additional assurances and support to the family during this challenging time.”

The statement added that the IGP had ordered that immediate psychological evaluation and therapy be provided to Tomiwa as part of her recovery plans with the Force’s dedication to ensure that she received all necessary support to facilitate her complete healing.

Confirming the visit, Tomiwa’s father, Segun, told PUNCH Metro on Sunday that the officers arrived with a medical doctor.

He said, “The CP and the IGP team arrived in the morning. They were received by myself and our lawyer, Chief Kola Idowu. They also came with the doctor who checked my daughter and confirmed she had trauma. Although she was shouting when she first saw them and declined to have an audience with them, we had to calm her down. Even when the IG offered to speak with her on the phone, she refused because of the trauma. They assured us of their prompt intervention and that is what we are expecting.”