Lagos police deny detaining woman over sister’s death

The command refuted the claim in a statement shared on its official X handle, @LagosPoliceNG, on Tuesday.

It said the woman was only invited to provide useful information to aid ongoing investigations into the incident and was not detained as alleged.

The clarification followed claims made by an X user, @stgabriel_info, who alleged that police at Morogbo Police Station, Agbara, detained his elder sister after she was invited over the death of another sibling.

According to him, the deceased was attacked and killed by armed robbers on Friday in the Oko-Afo, Badagry axis, while her phone was stolen.

He stated that the police were invited to the scene before the deceased was buried.

“My sister was later invited by the police and detained under the pretext of waiting for the Divisional Police Officer (DPO),” he said.

He appealed for help to secure her release, claiming she had serious health conditions.

The X user also alleged that efforts to speak with the DPO proved abortive, while no clear reason was given for her continued stay at the station.

Reacting to the allegations, the command said the woman was only asked to wait to see the DPO, who was away on another urgent duty due to the sensitive nature of the case.

It added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, had directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, where homicide cases were investigated.

The command also disclosed that the Area Commander and the DPO had strengthened security in the area and engaged community stakeholders to enhance safety.

It urged residents to remain calm, assuring that the police remained committed to combating crime, ensuring justice and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

The command advised residents to contact the command through its emergency lines — 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929 — in distress situations or for emergency assistance