•Ogun CP, Abiodun Alamutu
The Ogun State Police Command has said the police officer whose shot accidentally hit a Nollywood actor and director, Azeez Ijaduade, in Iperu Remo in the Ikenne Local Government area of the state yesterday will face a disciplinary action.
The state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, exclusively made this known to our correspondent following the incident.
Alamutu told our correspondent that the Nollywood actor was accidentally hit by a shot that was discharged by a police officer who had intended to disperse thugs that wanted to mob the person he was attached to, reports The PUNCH.
Alamutu arrived at the in-patient wards of the Babcock University Teaching Hospital around 11 a.m. yesterday.
He was ushered into the male surgical ward, where Ijaduade was admitted after the senior cop had listened to some colleagues of the victim.
Alamutu, who said the shooting was unfortunate and uncalled for, expressed joy that the actor was in a stable condition.
According to him, Ijaduade would be discharged after having been certified okay by the doctors.
He said, “It was actually an unfortunate incident, but from all indications, I have seen the victim; it was not a direct hit. Actually, some people were trying to mob the principal the policeman was attached to, and to scare them off, he had to fire some shots. It was unfortunate that the victim was within that axis. It was the shell that hit the victim.
“From all indications, he is getting better. The concerned policeman is already undergoing disciplinary procedures. What is important is for us to ensure that no life is lost.
“From what I’ve seen so far, he’s recuperating, but he needs to be observed for some time to ensure that no vital part of his body is affected. From the way I see him, I believe no one is affected. But that can only be certified by the medical experts.”
Alamutu said though there were times officers would need to fire shots to disperse crowds, he disclosed that this current one could not be justified.
He noted that the officer involved did not display professionalism, saying that was why he would be made to face disciplinary actions.
The news was reported of Ijaduade being shot by a trigger-happy policeman, as disclosed by his colleague, Abiodun Adebanjo, via his Instagram handle, @iamabiodunadebanjo, who said, “Please, we need help in Iperu. My director, Azeez Ijaduade, @kingzeez1, was shot by Nigerian police personnel. He is presently at Babcock University Teaching Hospital. Anybody with the contacts of the police IG or commissioner should reach out.”
Also, during an exclusive chat with our correspondent, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said the officer “accidentally discharged a shot from his rifle” during the end-of-year party of a company at a hotel in Iperu.
She explained that the actor, his crew members, and other actors were at a movie shoot in the same hotel when the shell of the bullet that was fired accidentally hit the neck of the actor and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was said to be currently responding to treatment.
She confirmed the police officer, who fired the shot, had been arrested and that investigations were ongoing.
She added, “The mobile policeman has been identified, and an investigation into the shooting incident has commenced by the command,” adding that members of the public will be updated accordingly. The commander has also taken responsibility for the medical bill.
“The actor speaking to Commander Mopol 16 has confirmed that he is in stable condition; members of the public will be notified when he is discharged.”
