By Oghenekevwe Laba, Lagos
Lagos State Police Command has faulted recently alarm raised by Nigerian Medical Association of Nigeria (NMA) Lagos Branch, warning members of the public to be at alert on the way medical doctors are being attacked and killed by hoodlums in Lagos State.
Lagos doctors on Tuesday in a publication circulated in social and print media raised alarm over incessant attacks and killing of medical doctors by unknown gunmen in the state.
In a press statement, Chairman, NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile described the act as wicked and barbaric and called on the Lagos State government and law enforcement agencies to live up to their responsibilities of protecting the lives and property of the populace. It said apart from the killing of Dr Irawo Ademilokun many other medical doctors have been attacked this year.
Describing the publication as misleading, malicious and aimed at tarnishing the good image of Lagos State Police Command that has been working tirelessly to ensure security of lives and property, Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in a statement made available to Urhobotoday said the period in question was not only peaceful but there were great reduction of crime, arguing that the claim made by Dr. Faduyile that a consultant orthopedic surgeon was shot on Tuesday 8th of January 2013 at a close range as false hence no such incident was reported to the Police.
“The NMA Chairman alleged that the man was shot on his way from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Maryland on the said date. He was unable to be state the exact scene of crime, not only that, there is no such name as Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Maryland.

“Similarly, the Chairman alleged further that on the 14th of January 2013 that the dare devil men of the underworld kept patients and medical staff of KUPPA Medical Center under hostage while robbing them of their belongings. The fact of the matter is that it was a pure case of burglary and not robbery as alleged by NMA and investigation is ongoing, which will be made known to the public when concluded.

“However, as we sympathize with the family of late Dr. Irawo Adamolekun whose life was cut short on the 11th of January 2013. the Command has vowed to leave no stone unturned in fishing out the culprits of the dastardly act. Investigation has commenced and we appeal to members of the public to come forth with useful information that can assist the Police in unraveling this heinous crime,” the statement stressed, adding that Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command wishes to assure and re-assure Lagosians that the command will not relent in carrying out its basic constitutional duty of protection of lives and property.