- Safiu Kehinde
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered urgent intervention over the shooting of a 27-year-old lady, Tomiwa Oni, who was shot by police officers in Ogun state.
Egbetokun in a statement issued on Saturday by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, mandated urgent intervention regarding the tragic shooting incident which occurred on July 24, 2024, at a police checkpoint in Itele, Ota, Ogun State.
According to the statement, the 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, an occupant of the vehicle.
Adejobi claimed that the Ogun State Police Command had acted swiftly to ensure that Tomiwa received the necessary medical attention and constant check-up until her discharge.
He disclosed that the officers involved in the incident were identified and underwent thorough disciplinary processes to address their actions.
In said commitment to justice and accountability, the IGP, according to the statement had directed the Ogun Police Commissioner , CP Lanre Ogunlowo and team, to visit Tomiwa’s family in Ota.
This visit is reportedly aimed at accessing her progress in recovery and to provide additional assurances and support to the family during this challenging time.
While extending his heartfelt wishes for a swift recovery for Tomiwa, Egbetokun also ordered for immediate psychological evaluation and therapy be provided to the victim as part of her recovery plan.
In contrast to the Police account, Tomiwa had in an exclusive interview with the Punch Newspaper recounted the tragic incident which damaged her womb and digestive tract.
The Mass Communication graduate and caterer narrated how the police officials comprising of two male officers and one female officer, had waylaid she and her sister along Lafenwa-Ota road with an unregistered mini bus.
They allegedly demanded money from them.
Short of cash, Tomiwa claimed to have begged them to accept transfer which they rejected and ushered them to go before one of the officers fired at the vehicle, hitting the 27-year-old mother of one in the process.
“I was in the car with my sister, my staff and a driver and when we got to the Ijoba Bus Stop along Lafenwa Ota Road in the Ota Local Government Area, an unregistered mini commercial bus suddenly flashed its light.
“We had already moved close to them before we realised they parked in the middle of the road ahead of us.
“Two of the officers came out of the bus and another two officers came out of the bush by the road, holding guns.
“They were wearing mufti. Without asking for particulars or even identifying ourselves, the next thing one of the officers said was that we should give them money.
“So I said I don’t have cash with me. I even tried to look for cash in my bag but could not find it. I then asked if they would accept if I transferred to their account and one of them said ‘Transfer ko, transfer ni’, another officer another officer said they should leave us and allow us to go. So the moment we set to move, the next thing I heard was a gunshot.” She said.
Recounting her ordeal aftermath, Tomiwa disclosed how the she was in coma for five days before discovering that her womb and digestive tract have been damaged by the gun shot injury.
“My condition was critical at that moment because I could not look at my tummy due to the cuts. The bullet pierced through my stomach from the back, all through to the front.
“The wound on my back was very deep. The pain was so much that I was begging for death. I begged the doctors to take my life. It was like a living hell for me.
“It has really been a tough moment for me. It is just like the whole world coming down on me. I can’t sit properly, I can’t walk properly, I can no longer do anything to make a living (sobbing).
“I was told part of my intestines was cut off and it affected my digestive system, which the doctors have to place in another position and it made me eat just two spoons of food a day now and more fruits.
“Taking drugs every day is not what I am used to, but I have to keep doing it. Again, going to the hospital for check-ups and tests is also another stress entirely.” Tomiwa said.
She also disclosed through Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and severely indebted as loans collected for her treatment remained unpaid for.