Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Lagos State Command have shot an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Charles Achidika, during a gun fight between the corps and suspected oil thieves which he was alleged to be a part of.

It was learnt that men of the NSCDC had on December 2 at about 2 am shot Achidika alongside two others, yet to be identified, on the Badagry waterways during a gun duel after the suspects attempted to transport 12,400 litres of petrol, believed to have been stolen from a vandalised pipeline, in Seme, a Lagos border town.

Achidika was alleged to have first shot at the NSCDC operatives when the boat carrying the fuel was flagged down.

NSCDC operatives however overpowered the ASP leading to his arrest and that of his injured accomplices.

Following the gunshot shot injuries sustained he was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where he is currently battling for survival.
Five other suspects arrested in the operation include, Bendran Isaac, Kobla Fashawo, Jimoh Olusegun, Akapo Joseph, and Amos Bakom.
An AK-47 rifle with the Nigeria Police Force inscribed on it and a pistol were recovered from the suspects.

Achidika, who denied being involved in the illegal oil business, said the boat operators were only conveying him to where he wanted to apprehend some robbers when he was shot.

He said, “I am the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad attached to Badagry.

“We went for an anti-robbery operation. During the operation, officers of the NSCDC shot me. I didn’t go there to steal fuel. I don’t have the strength to talk.”

One of the suspects, Olusegun said while he, Fashawo and Bakom were conveying Achidika to a point of operation on the sea, they observed that the NSCDC officials had apprehended Isaac and Joseph with a boat carrying fuel.

Olusegun further stated that the gun duel started when Achidika attempted to free them.

He said, “Achidika said he wanted to arrest some suspects on the sea, that we should take him there. On our way back, we saw a big boat and some persons with some NSCDC officers. We told the policeman to let us go since the people seemed to be in NSCDC custody, but he didn’t listen to us. It was the police officer that shot first before the NSCDC officials responded. We were not caught with fuel.”

Confirming the arrest, NSCDC State Commandant, Gabriel Abafi, said six of the suspects escaped during the gun fight.

“The suspects were caught around Gberefu community in Badagry after a tip-off. On getting there, we saw a fishing boat filled with pirates and arrested them. They shot at our men. Among them was a police officer. The police officer and two others were wounded. About 496 of 25litres of fuel, an AK-47 rifle and a pistol were recovered. Investigation is on,” Abafi said.