Alleged Drunk Policeman Attached to Justice Oshodi Kills Errand Boy
A police officer assigned to a high-ranking judicial officer, Justice Oshodi, has allegedly shot and killed a young errand boy in Lagos under highly troubling circumstances.
According to reports, the officer was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the shooting and later claimed he had only intended to fire a “warning shot.”
The incident, which occurred in Lagos, has sent shockwaves across the state and the nation, once again drawing attention to the unchecked conduct of some security operatives—particularly those attached to VIPs and members of the judiciary.
Eyewitnesses say the errand boy, whose identity has not yet been made public, was carrying out a routine task when the police officer, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, discharged his firearm.
The bullet struck and killed the boy instantly. It remains unclear what provoked the shooting, but onlookers report that the officer appeared unsteady and incoherent, suggesting intoxication.
In widely circulated images and video clips, the officer—dressed casually and visibly dazed—is seen struggling to maintain his composure as he is questioned about the incident.
He reportedly justified his action by saying he had fired a “warning shot,” implying that the death was accidental.
The news has sparked widespread anger and condemnation across social media platforms, with many Nigerians demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officer.
Human rights groups have weighed in, describing the shooting as an extrajudicial killing and a failure of internal police controls.
“The fact that this officer was armed and under the influence of alcohol shows an institutional failure,” said one legal advocate. “That he is attached to a judicial officer makes this all the more alarming.”
The incident has reignited conversations around police discipline, alcohol use among armed personnel, and the dangers of assigning law enforcement officers to VIPs without adequate psychological and behavioral assessments.
As of press time, neither the Lagos State Police Command nor the Nigerian Police Force headquarters has issued an official statement regarding the shooting. There has also been no public comment from Justice Oshodi or the judiciary on the matter.
Legal experts say this silence is both troubling and typical of a system where abuses by law enforcement are often met with institutional cover-ups rather than accountability.
“The judiciary must not remain silent,” said a Lagos-based legal analyst. “If the officer was acting under judicial protection, this raises serious questions about how security operatives are managed and disciplined.”
Civil society organizations and watchdog groups are calling for an immediate and independent investigation into the shooting. Among the key demands are:
• The identification and arrest of the officer involved.
• An autopsy and full disclosure of the victim’s identity and cause of death.
• A toxicology test on the officer to confirm intoxication.
• Public disclosure of the officer’s service record and any prior misconduct.
• Review of the use of armed police details assigned to judicial officers.
Some have also suggested that the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council (NJC) intervene to ensure that the case is not buried under bureaucratic inaction.
This incident adds to the growing list of extrajudicial killings in Nigeria and exposes deep flaws in the structure of the country’s security system. The use of lethal force by intoxicated or poorly trained officers remains a persistent issue, with little to no deterrence due to weak accountability frameworks.
For the family of the slain errand boy, justice now lies in the balance between public pressure and official will. As the outrage grows, Nigerians are watching closely to see whether this case will be the turning point or just another tragedy swept under the carpet.
