The Take It Back Movement (TIB), Apapa Coordinating Structure, has demanded an urgent, impartial and transparent investigation after police officers reportedly shot an 11-year-old girl and an elderly man during a naming ceremony in Orile Iganmu, Lagos.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at about 8pm around Ekunjinmi/Wewe Street. According to TIB Apapa, police officers arrived at the gathering and attempted to stop the event, including the activities of the DJ. Residents were said to have resisted the move because, according to an eyewitness, the officers did not give a clear reason for stopping the gathering.
In the process, firearms were discharged, resulting in the shooting of two residents, the eyewitness told TIB.
The 11-year-old girl, identified as Mistura Murtala, was shot in the leg and is receiving emergency treatment at Olukayode Hospital, Orile Iganmu. TIB said it had spoken with members of her family and was monitoring her condition.
The second victim, identified as Sodiq Aremu, an elderly man, was shot in the neck and is currently hospitalised.
According to the movement, Aremu has been advised to undergo emergency surgery estimated to cost about N500,000.
TIB Apapa said it was particularly concerned about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and an allegation identifying a police officer popularly known as “Kola” as being involved.
An eyewitness reportedly identified the officer and alleged that he saw him discharge a firearm, resulting in the injury to the young girl.
However, TIB stressed that the allegation must be independently investigated.
“We stress that this is an allegation and must be independently investigated and tested against medical records, forensic evidence, witness accounts and other available evidence,” the statement said.
The movement demanded answers to several questions, including why the police were called to the gathering, what offence or disturbance they were responding to and why the naming ceremony was being stopped.
TIB also asked authorities to establish which officers were present, who discharged the firearm, the circumstances surrounding the discharge and whether an official report was made about the incident.
Take It Back Movement further demanded the preservation of all relevant evidence, including videos, photographs, medical records, witness statements, police reports and CCTV footage where available.
TIB Apapa also raised concern over an account involving a traditional community leader, locally known as the Bale. According to the movement, the Bale reportedly told Mistura’s parent that the girl’s injury was caused by tear gas rather than a firearm. However, TIB said the claim must be independently verified.
“Any conflicting account should be tested against medical records and other available evidence,” it said.
The movement further warned against any attempt to interfere with the investigation or manipulate evidence.
“No person should interfere with, suppress, distort or manipulate evidence relating to this incident,” TIB said.
Reported Threats Against Victims, Families
TIB Apapa also said it had received information alleging that the victims and members of their families were being threatened or intimidated by persons allegedly connected to the party involved in the incident.
The movement stressed that the claim required urgent and independent verification but called for immediate protection of the victims, their families and witnesses.
TIB said nobody should be allowed to “threaten, intimidate, pressure, silence or retaliate against” anyone connected to the incident.
It called on the authorities to ensure that victims, their families and witnesses could give their accounts freely and without fear.
TIB also disclosed that it had received information about an earlier alleged encounter between Aremu and the police officer known as “Kola”, including an allegation of a previous arrest. The movement said the claim was separate from the latest incident and should be verified and properly documented if credible evidence exists.
TIB Reaction to Police Response
The movement said the Divisional Police Officer of Orile Police Station had been informed about the incident and that medical assistance was reportedly provided to one of the victims.
TIB acknowledged the intervention but said medical assistance could not replace an investigation into the circumstances of the shooting.
“Medical assistance does not remove the need to establish what happened, who discharged the firearm, the circumstances surrounding its use, and whether the conduct complied with the law and applicable police regulations,” TIB said.
TIB’s Demands
TIB called for an immediate investigation into the September 23 incident and demanded the identification of all police officers involved.
It also demanded the preservation of evidence, adequate medical support for both victims and immediate protection for the victims, their families and witnesses.
The movement further called for a proper investigation into the firearm discharge, investigation of any credible allegations of intimidation or interference, and accountability under the law if wrongdoing is established.
TIB said it was not calling for violence or mob justice and was not asking anyone to prejudge the outcome of an investigation or trial.
“Our position is clear: WE ARE DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY UNDER THE LAW,” the group said.
It added, “The victims deserve protection. Their families deserve protection. Witnesses deserve protection. The evidence must be preserved. The facts must be established. And where wrongdoing is established, the law must take its course.”
TIB Apapa said it would continue to document the matter, support the affected families within its capacity, engage relevant human-rights and accountability institutions and peacefully advocate for justice and accountability.
“POWER MUST REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE TO LAW,” the group said.
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