Alleged cement thief jumps into Lagos lagoon, drowns

A man, known only as Azeez, reportedly leaped into the waters of the Lagoon at the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge in Lagos State after being accused of stealing bags of cement. The incident unfolded around 10:45 a.m. on Friday, according to information gathered by PUNCH Metro.

Accounts suggest that Azeez was being pursued by another man, purportedly over the alleged theft, ultimately leading to his tragic plunge into the lagoon.

A police source, preferring anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter, disclosed to PUNCH Metro that the director of operations for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency in Lagos Central received a distress call concerning the incident at the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge on the mentioned date.

Upon arrival, the director encountered a gathering of onlookers by the waterside, where the lifeless body of Azeez was discovered.

“On April 26, 2024, around 12:20 p.m., the director overseeing LASEMA operations in Lagos Central reported receiving a call about an incident at the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge around 10:45 a.m. on the same day. Upon arrival, a large crowd was observed by the waterside, witnessing the lifeless body of Azeez who had drowned,” the source stated.

Paramedics at the scene confirmed Azeez’s demise, noting that he had been chased for allegedly stealing bags of cement, which possibly triggered his fatal decision to jump into the lagoon.

“He was later pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene in Lagos. It was revealed that he was pursued by another individual before leaping into the lagoon, purportedly due to accusations of cement theft,” the source added.

State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, corroborated the incident, stating that Azeez’s body was transported to the Mainland General Hospital for preservation and autopsy, with investigations already initiated.

“A scene was visited, the corpse evacuated, and deposited at the Mainland General Hospital, Yaba, for autopsy and preservation. Investigation ongoing,” Hundeyin confirmed.

In a separate report, PUNCH Metro previously detailed the tragic case of Nimotalahi Ishola, a female adult who plunged into the lagoon while aboard a ferry at Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. Additionally, the Lagos State Police Command revealed that seven individuals drowned in various incidents across the state during the preceding week, encompassing accidents at hotel swimming pools, beaches, and the lagoon.