Man Drowns in Lagos Canal While Fleeing Police Attempted Arrest in Ipaja

CP OLANREWAJU ISHOLA

A man tragically drowned after reportedly jumping into a canal to evade arrest in the Ipaja area of Lagos State. 

The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at around 10:00 a.m. in the Mosan Okunola area near Gowon Estate. 

The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident on his verified X account (@benHundeyin).

According to the statement, the deceased was a passenger on a motorcycle riding against traffic when he spotted an approaching police vehicle. 

In a bid to avoid being apprehended, the motorcycle rider made a sharp U-turn, while the passenger dismounted, crossed the road, and ran through a nearby tipper garage.

Eyewitnesses in the garage warned him about the canal ahead as he frantically emptied his pockets while running, but he continued and ultimately leapt into the water. 

The police officers, surprised by his reaction, stopped their vehicle and approached the canal, where bystanders informed them of his jump.

The officers, along with the onlookers, searched the canal area for several minutes but found no sign of him. 

Believing that he had successfully evaded them, the police departed the scene.

SP Hundeyin clarified that the officers did not engage with the man directly and emphasized that no chase or confrontation occurred. 

He expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, saying, “May God give his family the fortitude to bear the sad loss.”

He further assured the public that the Lagos Police Command, under Commissioner Olanrewaju Ishola, would continue to uphold professional standards, stating that any form of misconduct would not be tolerated.

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