The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected member of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) allegedly responsible for the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy in the Itapo area of Epe, Lagos.
EpeInsights reports that the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development on Thursday, stating that the suspect has been arrested and transferred to the SCID.
This arrest comes days after the tragic incident, which occurred around 3 a.m. on Monday. The OPC member was said to have shot the teenager at close range before fleeing the scene.
The shooting sparked outrage within the Epe community, with youths and residents staging a protest march through major parts of the area.
In a dramatic display of grief and anger, the demonstrators carried the victim’s body through the streets, demanding justice.
Security forces intervened to restore order, reportedly using teargas and warning shots to disperse the crowd before recovering the body and conveying it to a medical facility.
Hundeyin had earlier announced that a manhunt had been launched for the suspect, promising that the command was committed to ensuring justice is served.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear and investigations are ongoing.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the arrested suspect and it is not immediately clear when charges will be filed.
However, the Lagos State Police Command said the case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
This latest incident adds to a series of tragic events involving youth fatalities.
Just last week in Ibadan, a student on his way to a WAEC examination centre was struck and killed by a stray bullet allegedly fired by police during a pursuit.
