The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a serving police inspector following an alleged stabbing incident involving Rasheed Olowolayemo, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), in the Bariga area of Lagos State.
The incident, which reportedly occurred at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, left the transport union member injured and in need of emergency medical attention.
The suspect, identified as Inspector Njoku Augustine, is attached to Falomo Police Hospital and is currently being investigated over his alleged involvement in the attack.
Information about the incident was reported by conflict reporter and counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who disclosed that the Bariga Police Division received a distress call alerting officers to the situation.
Following the report, police personnel were immediately deployed to the scene to address the situation and facilitate the rescue of the injured man. The officers subsequently commenced preliminary inquiries to establish what had happened and identify those allegedly involved.
Victim rushed to hospital for treatment
Olowolayemo, who is a member of the NURTW’s Bariga branch, was reportedly stabbed in the stomach with a jack-knife during the incident.
Given the nature of his injury, he was taken to Gbagada General Hospital for immediate medical attention. Medical personnel at the facility reportedly provided initial treatment before referring him to the Federal Medical Centre, Oyingbo, for further care.
According to the report, the victim was responding to treatment when the information became public. However, further details about the extent of his injuries and his subsequent medical condition were not immediately available.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged stabbing remain unclear, as available information has not established what occurred between the victim and the arrested officer before the incident.
Investigators are expected to examine the events leading up to the confrontation and determine the factors that resulted in the transport union member sustaining the injury.
Police recover suspected weapon
As part of the preliminary investigation, officers reportedly recovered a jack-knife believed to have been used in the alleged attack.
The weapon was taken into police custody and recorded as an exhibit for investigative purposes.
Its recovery is expected to form part of the evidence available to investigators as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The police also arrested Inspector Augustine following the initial inquiries. He was reportedly detained while investigators continued examining the case.
Although the arrest represents a step in the investigation, the circumstances of the alleged assault have yet to be fully established.
The available report did not provide details about the events immediately preceding the stabbing or indicate whether there were witnesses to the incident.
Investigators may need to obtain statements from the victim, the suspect and any other individuals who witnessed the incident to develop a clearer account of what happened.
Investigation underway
The case has drawn attention because the person accused of carrying out the alleged attack is a serving police officer.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are therefore expected to be examined to determine whether any criminal offence or breach of police regulations occurred.
The investigation is expected to establish the nature of the interaction between Augustine and Olowolayemo, the events that preceded the alleged stabbing and whether any other individuals were involved.
The police are also expected to consider the available evidence, including the recovered weapon and any relevant witness accounts, before deciding on the next course of action.
According to the report, the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the inspector had been arrested and detained pending further investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
However, details of any formal charges against the suspect had not been disclosed in the available information. It was also unclear whether the police had established a possible motive for the alleged attack.
The command is expected to determine the appropriate legal and administrative measures to take after reviewing the findings of the investigation.
Questions remain over circumstances of attack
Despite the arrest, several aspects of the incident remain unresolved. The available report did not explain whether the victim and the inspector knew each other before the incident or whether an argument or other disagreement preceded the alleged stabbing.
There was also no immediate information about whether the NURTW Bariga branch had issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Further clarification from the police and other relevant parties could provide a better understanding of the events that led to the victim’s injury.
The victim’s medical condition is another important aspect of the case, although the report indicated that he was responding to treatment after being transferred for further medical attention.
For now, the investigation remains focused on establishing the facts and determining the circumstances under which the alleged attack occurred.
The police have indicated that inquiries are ongoing and that further action will depend on the outcome of the investigation.
Inspector Augustine’s arrest does not establish his guilt. Any criminal responsibility will be determined through the appropriate legal process, while any disciplinary action will depend on the findings of the relevant authorities.
The case remains under investigation as the Lagos State Police Command works to establish the facts surrounding the alleged stabbing in Bariga.
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