In a press statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, the police said that the Civil Defence officers disarmed police officers responding to a distress call over alleged petroleum pipeline vandalism at Mosimi.
"The Lagos State Police Command wishes to use this medium to put the record straight at what actually transpired at Isawo-Ikorodu at the early hours of Wednesday 27/03/2013 between the NSCDC and the Police," said the statement.
"At about 0145hrs, there was a distress call from DM security PPMC, Mosimi that they were experiencing drop in pressure on the pipeline. The Unit Commander in charge of Konu immediately pulled out his men on Konu axis under Inspector Sunday Gabriel to proceed to the scene."
Ms. Braide said that as the police were approaching the scene, they heard sounds of 'serious gun firing' near the pipeline area; and Mr Gabriel instructed his men to head towards the direction."
"Upon arrival, they saw a group of Civil Defence Corps members coming out of the direction where the shooting was earlier heard," Ms. Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said.
"The NSCDC officers challenged the policemen who were about four in number on what their mission was in the area; saying that it was their sole responsibility to guide and protect pipelines," she added.
An argument ensued thereafter, according to the police statement, and the most senior NSCDC official, DSC Olufemi, ordered his men, numbering 14, to disarm, arrest, and handcuff the police team leader and three other members of his team.
"The NSCDC succeeded in disarming the police team leader, Inspector Sunday Gabriel, handcuffed him, collected his service pistol, walkie-talkie, and police I.D card," the statement continued.
"As they were about dragging him into one of their standby Hilux vehicles, a phone call was put to the Police Unit Commander reporting the situation. The three other officers resisted the arrest and this infuriated the Civil Defence officials who started shooting sporadically to intimidate and subdue the police officers.
"Before the Police Commander could arrive at the scene, the NSCDC officials had taken to their heels abandoning the handcuffed Police Inspector with one NSCDC personnel."
Ms. Braide further said that afterwards, the Police Commander at Mosimi received a 'shocking' call from the NSCDC commander that two of his men had been killed.
"Up till now, the pistol of Inspector Sunday Gabriel, who was badly beaten and stabbed by the NSCDC officials, and his other properties are still with the NSCDC," said Ms. Braide.
The Police account of the incident differs entirely with that of the NSCDC. The NSCDC's account also said that the arrested vandals made calls to the Police and escaped after the police attack.
The police spokesman said that the incident led to NSCDC officers at Alausa, Ikeja assaulting three police officers- Sergeant Charles Igiebor, Corporal Ekun Julius, and Corporal Okoro Charles- who went for National I.D Card registration exercise, on wednesday morning.
"They also started attacking policemen on sight in other parts of the state," she said.
Ms. Braide advised residents of Lagos to remain calm as "investigation into the matter has commenced."
Personally, I think there is still a lot to be uncovered in this story. I rest my case for now.
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