Nigeria’s petrol scarcity is taking a new turn, drawing life out of men instead of an abundance of petrol from the pump.

On Wednesday, there was pandemonium at a fuel station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited at Obalende in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

The incident, which later ended in tragedy, claimed the life of a young Nigerian, Toheeb Eniafe.

Indeed, the guilty always runs even when no one is chasing them. That is why, before journalists arrived at the scene, the culprit was nowhere to be found.

However, an eyewitness who said the victim was gunned down by an official of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Mr. Amos Ayo said: “They are men of the DSS. They came to the scene to buy fuel but refused to join the queue.

“It was not Toheeb’s turn yet but he confronted them, asking them to join the queue or be polite about the way they went about the purchase”.

That was his ‘crime’.

DSS In The Mix

This report had prompted further investigation which led journalists to the doorstep of the DSS spokesman Peter Afunnaya. He categorically denied any connection to the incident.

“It is not true (that a DSS officer shot Toheeb). Kindly deepen your investigations to uncover the truth.

“No single DSS staff was involved in the matter, Afunnaya insisted.

Nigerians had received the news with so much anger. It is coming at a time that petrol scarcity is further inflating the cost of living for a people who had reached the edge.

Also, they are saddened that a security official, who is supposed to protect lives, is the one ending them.

Meanwhile, when the journalists had conversations with the police, they promised to uncover the identity of the shooter and bring same to justice.

The Surprise

Now the spokesman for the police in Lagos SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

According to him, investigations are ongoing to ascertain the shooter’s identity.

Now, the police have delivered on its promise, by identifying the officer responsible for the shooting of Toheeb Eniafe.

In fact, the police say the officer has been apprehended.

However, to the greatest surprise of many, the officer turned out to be an officer of the Nigerian Police Force.

The Man Behind The Shooting

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed this in a statement released on Thursday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin.

The police mouthpiece noted in a terse statement that investigation had been launched on the incident.

He said: “The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.

Also Read: Fuel Scarcity: DSS Official Allegedly Guns Down Lagos Man During Fuel Queue Tumult

“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available.

“Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice”.