A commercial truck driver, Peter Francis, is fighting to save his leg after he was allegedly shot by a police officer during a checkpoint stop along the Ketu-Epe-Ikorodu Road in Lagos.
Francis was reportedly returning from work on June 12, 2026, when officers attached to the Ketu-Ereyun Divisional Police Station stopped his vehicle.
His lawyer, Olatunji Ajayi, said the driver complied after officers asked him to switch on the interior light of his car.
According to him, one officer identified as Ibrahim allegedly demanded a ₦500 bribe, but Francis explained that he had already spent his remaining cash on food kept in the vehicle.
“Without any provocation, a police officer identified as Ibrahim, who was part of the team, opened fire on the vehicle occupied by Mr. Peter Francis and his friend. One of the bullets struck Mr. Peter Francis in the leg, causing severe injuries and leaving him in excruciating pain,” the lawyer said.
Ajayi further alleged that the officers fled the scene after realising Francis had been hit, leaving him without immediate assistance.
He also claimed that military personnel attached to the Lagos State Food and Logistics Hub intervened, pursued the fleeing officers to their station, and later ensured the victim was taken to the hospital.
Francis was reportedly rejected by two hospitals before eventually being admitted to the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Police confirm shooting, but give different account
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the shooting but said the police version differs from that of the victim and his lawyer. She also confirmed that the officers involved have been detained for questioning.
However, the Divisional Police Officer of the Ketu-Ereyun station, CSP Kalu Chijioke, gave a contrasting account, insisting that the victim is a suspect and that officers acted in self-defence.
He said the incident occurred during a stop-and-search operation and claimed the driver attempted to flee after initially complying.
“When he was approached, he sped off knocking down Oguniyi, brushing another and was rushing towards Corporal Tijani Ibrahim to ram him down, using the vehicle as a weapon, before the latter shot,” the DPO stated.
According to him, the officer fired at the moving vehicle, and the bullet struck Francis in the leg. He described the incident as “attempted murder and assault of a police officer in his line of duty and unlawful possession of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.”
The DPO also denied claims that officers abandoned the victim, insisting they arranged medical help and personally supported his treatment, including facilitating his admission to the military hospital and donating blood.
He further alleged that some of the victim’s associates attempted to attack the station after the incident, but said the situation was brought under control.
Medical costs and allegations of compensation
Francis’ lawyer, however, maintained that his client is a law-abiding citizen with documents proving his delivery job and is not a criminal suspect.
He disclosed that Francis is facing severe leg damage requiring reconstructive surgery, with total medical expenses estimated at over ₦11.1 million.
The lawyer also revealed that the DPO allegedly transferred ₦400,000 to the victim and donated blood, but insisted this does not absolve the police of responsibility.
He called on authorities to take full responsibility for medical bills, rehabilitation, and compensation, stressing that “justice must be done.”
