Man shot dead on fuel queue in Lagos

By Innocent Raphael

Following a tragic incident at an NNPC petrol station in the Obalende area of Lagos on Wednesday, one Toheeb Eniasa has been killed.

The tragedy, occurring late Wednesday, has instilled fear among residents in the area.

Eyewitnesses, gathered at the scene, revealed that Eniasa was waiting in line for petrol when the altercation transpired.

According to sources, two individuals, believed to be military officers, attempted to bypass the queue, provoking resistance from Eniasa and others who had been patiently waiting.

Eyewitnesses recounted how Eniasa took a stand, insisting that the men adhere to the queue like everyone else.

Adding that tensions escalated, leading to a physical altercation, witnesses recounted the fracas resulted in Eniasa being shot and fatally wounded by one of the men who then fled the scene.

A witness, who identified as Mr. Amos Ayo, alleged that the officers were from the Department of State Services as their branded polo shirts suggested.

According to Ayo, the DSS personnel arrived at the scene to purchase fuel but declined to adhere to the queue system, a behavior he claimed was habitual for them.

A confrontation ensued when Eniasa, whose turn had not yet arrived, challenged them, urging them to join the queue or conduct their purchase respectfully.

Ayo detailed that the situation escalated when one of the DSS operatives displayed impatience and physically assaulted Toheeb, leading to a verbal exchange.

Tragically, the altercation culminated in gunfire, resulting in Toheeb collapsing to the ground.

“One of them was so impatient. He slapped Eniasa and he retaliated with more words. Before we could know it, we heard gunshots and Toheeb fell to the ground,” he narrated.

Another witness, who pleaded anonimity, disclosed his familiarity with the deceased, Eniasa, describing him as a resident of Dolphin Estate and a member of the Muslim community.

According to him, the situation escalated when bystanders attempted to intervene, prompting the officer to discharge his firearm and flee the scene.

He confirmed Eniasa’s untimely demise and the subsequent police intervention, leading to the transfer of his body to the morgue for investigation.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that Toheeb Eniasa lost his life and two vehicles were set ablaze in the aftermath of the altercation.

Hundeyin emphasized that ongoing investigations had yet to determine the identity of the shooters responsible for the violence.

In a text message response, DSS spokesman Peter Afunnaya refuted claims of DSS involvement in the incident.

He urged further investigation to uncover the truth, asserting that no DSS personnel were implicated in the altercation.

This tragic incident sheds light on the heightened tensions occassioned by the ongoing fuel scarcity in Nigeria, exacerbating transportation challenges and lengthy queues at filling stations across the country.