Lagos Police: Omole Taiwo Toddler Killed in Police Shooting

• A one-year-and-eight-month-old toddler, Omole Taiwo, was fatally shot by a police bullet in Ajegunle, Lagos.
• The incident occurred on Thursday, November 5, between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm, involving ASP Omotayo Olajide.
• Another girl was injured in the same shooting and is currently receiving medical treatment.
• The Lagos State Police Command claims the officer was responding to a clash, a narrative strongly disputed by the victim's family.
• Taiwo's mother, Bintu Omole, is demanding justice, stating the officer responsible should not go unpunished.

Her death must not be in vain.

The community of Ajegunle, Lagos, was plunged into grief following the fatal shooting of Omole Taiwo, a toddler aged one year and eight months. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, November 5, between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm in the Nosamu area, involved a bullet discharged by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Omotayo Olajide during a police operation. Taiwo, also known as Tayelolu, was tragically struck by the bullet, leading to her untimely death.

In addition to Omole Taiwo, another young girl, whose identity has not been disclosed, also sustained injuries from the same incident. Both children were initially rushed to Ajeromi General Hospital for urgent medical attention. While the second child is reported to be in stable condition and continues to receive treatment, Taiwo's injuries proved to be critical. She was subsequently transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, where she ultimately succumbed.

The Lagos State Police Command, through its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, issued a statement detailing their account of the events. According to the command, the shooting transpired during a police response to an ongoing clash between two rival factions, identified as the Nosamu Boys and the Alayabiagba Boys, who were reportedly disputing over toll collection in the area. This official narrative suggests the officer's firearm was discharged in the context of quelling civil unrest.

However, the Omole family has vehemently disputed the police's version of events. Bintu Omole, Taiwo's mother, recounted a different scenario in a video interview, stating that she and others were seated in a shop when they heard a police vehicle's siren. She described the vehicle speeding into their vicinity, followed by an officer drawing his gun and firing in their direction, initially leading her to believe tear gas had been deployed. Taiwo's father, Femi Omole, further corroborated this, asserting that there was no fight occurring in Nosamu at the time of the incident, and that police typically do not resort to shooting even during past altercations, though he noted some parties were "probably misbehaving." In response to the tragic outcome, the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the detention of ASP Omotayo Olajide, initiating an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Bintu Omole, the bereaved mother, has made an impassioned plea for justice for her deceased daughter, emphasizing the profound personal loss she has endured. She revealed that Taiwo was one of twins, with her sibling, Kehinde, having passed away shortly after their birth, adding another layer of grief to her experience of a difficult pregnancy. Her demand is clear: the police officer responsible for her daughter's death must not escape punishment, stating, "Her death must not be in vain."

The call for accountability extends beyond the immediate family. Sekinat Abolarin, a relative of the injured girl, identified the child as her younger sibling's daughter and alleged that officers from the Ajeromi police division were responsible for the incident. The gravity of the situation prompted a condolence visit from the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, to the Omole family on Saturday, November 7, 2026. This tragic Ajegunle police brutality incident involving a toddler highlights broader concerns regarding Nigeria police excessive force and underscores the urgent need for a thorough Lagos State Police Command investigation to ensure justice for Omole Taiwo.

This incident underscores the critical need for legal intervention in cases of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Nigeria. Lawyers specializing in human rights or civil litigation should closely follow the investigation and potential prosecution of ASP Omotayo Olajide, as the outcome could influence future accountability measures for law enforcement and provide a precedent for victims seeking redress against police misconduct.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online