The Nigerian Navy on Friday announced the arrest of a drunk Naval Rating who allegedly shot and stabbed a medical doctor, Dr. Owen Edo-Ojo, last Saturday at Gbamgbala Street, Elegushi, in Lekki area, Lagos.
Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said in a statement that the Navy has detained the rating “while due investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to the alleged shooting and stabbing of Dr Owen.”
The statement stated the “Navy’s commitment to the respect and protection of law abiding citizens while ensuring that appropriate punishment is meted to any of its personnel that violates extant regulations and Standard Operating Procedure.”
The full statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Navy has been drawn to trending media reports on the alleged shooting and stabbing of a medical doctor, Dr. Owen Edo-Ojo by a drunk naval rating. The alleged incident was said to have occurred at Gbamgbala Street, Elegushi, in Lekki area, Lagos on 19 March 2022.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Navy wishes to inform the general public that the rating in question has been apprehended and detained while due investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to the alleged shooting and stabbing of Dr Owen by the naval rating.
“Furthermore, the Commander Nigerian Navy Ship WEY at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred paid a visit to the Edo-Ojo family on 24 March 2022 to empathize and confirm the condition of their son, Dr. Owen.
“Equally to state, as directed by the Chief of the Naval Staff that the rating if found culpable will be appropriately punished in line with extant provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
“The Nigerian Navy assures the general public that the Service is not unmindful of the place of discipline, professionalism and respect of the civil populace by naval personnel in the discharge of their duties.
“Accordingly, the general public is assured of the Navy’s commitment to the respect and protection of law abiding citizens while ensuring that appropriate punishment is meted to any of its personnel that violates extant regulations and Standard Operating Procedure.”