A violent domestic incident in Lagos ended in dramatic scenes on Wednesday afternoon when PSP officers rescued a woman being held at knifepoint by her partner on a first-floor balcony.
Witnesses alerted police who arrived at the scene and saw the 50-year-old suspect with his arm wrapped around the woman while brandishing a large knife and threatening to kill her, PSP police say in a statement to the press.
Fearing the threats could be carried out at any moment, officers forced entry into the home. Amid the commotion, the woman managed to break free and desperately leapt from the balcony to escape. Given the “considerable height,” she hit the ground with force before being helped by officers.
Moments later, the suspect also jumped from the same balcony, apparently trying to avoid arrest. He too landed hard, but officers immediately restrained and handcuffed him on the street.
Both were taken to hospital. The victim is reported to be out of danger but is undergoing diagnostic tests for injuries sustained in the fall. The suspect also received treatment for minor injuries before being transferred to PSP facilities, where he remains in custody. He is expected to appear in court today (September 18).
Police later confirmed that there were no previous records of domestic violence between the couple.
