A video of the incident has gone viral, with police starting an investigation.
The Mall has released a statement, explaining that its surveillance system captured an attempt by officers to arrest Mr. Arloo.
Accounts from eyewitnesses and Mall security indicated that the officer suspected Mr. Arloo of having some illegal substance and asked to search his bag.
According to the account, the suspect removed an item from the bag and swallowed it, which led to an argument.
The mall said the camera captured the initial struggle as the officer tried to arrest the suspect.
The suspect eventually stopped struggling, appearing unwell.
He was transported to a medical facility on the scene, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“The manager of West Hills Mall is shocked by this bad incident. We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased, because we believe that the Police will handle this matter better,” said the Mall.
It happened at West Hills Mall on Monday, January 30, 2023
The management of West Hills Mall hereby confirms that an incident occurred at the premises on Monday, January 30, 2023 at noon which unfortunately resulted in a fatality.
According to eyewitnesses and mall security officers, at approximately 15:15 on January 30, 2023, a visitor was confronted by a Police Officer and asked to hand over a bag for inspection. The Police Officer suspected that the customer, a young man between 25 and 30 years old, was in possession of prohibited drugs or substances. The account indicated that the young man hesitated, removed something from his bag and swallowed as police approached him.
West Hills Mall’s 24-hour security surveillance system captured footage of officers arresting the young man, as well as another man who accompanied him, as he made his way to the mall’s main entrance. In an attempt to handcuff the young man, a struggle between the parties ensued when the Police Officer tried to handcuff the man.
He was eventually handcuffed but stopped struggling and looked unwell after that. The police then removed the cuffs from his hands, and Mall Security arranged for him to be transported to an on-site medical facility. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead by the Medics on arrival.
The Weija District Police have started to retrieve the body from the deceased.
The management of West Hills Mall is shocked by this unfortunate incident. We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased, because we believe that the Police will deal with this matter.
Assistant Asset Manager,
West African Asset Management