Lagos State Police boss, Mr Zubairu Muazu, has reportedly paid a condolence visit to the family of Kolade Johnson, a soccer fan who was allegedly shot dead by men of the Anti-Cultism Squad on March 31.
Johnson, a chef, the only child of his parents and a father of one, was allegedly killed on March 31 in Lagos by stray bullets from one of the anti-cultism police officers while watching a football match at a viewing centre, an action which has attracted wide condemnation in the country.
The killing has spurred the nation’s highest law making body, the Senate, to accelerate efforts to pass the Police Reform Bill “to ensure that the Police Force is more efficient and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.”
In fact, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, announced that the Report of the Police Reform Bill would be laid before the Senate by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs next week Tuesday.
Reacting to the incident, Saraki said that the 8th Senate remains committed to the Police Reform Bill.
He made this comment as part of a series of tweets in reaction to the killing of Kolade Johnson by alleged SARS operatives.
His words: “My heartfelt prayers are with the family and friends of Kolade Johnson, the young football fan who was allegedly killed by men of the Nigeria Police in Mangoro/Onipetesi community in Lagos.
“Issues like the senseless killings, assault, and extortion of everyday Nigerians by some ‘bad apples’ in the Police Force is what prompted @NGRSenate to introduce and fast-track the progression of the #PoliceReformBill.
“I have also been in contact with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and I am pleased to announce that the Report of the #PoliceReformBill will be laid by next week Tuesday.
“Make no mistake, the 8th Senate remains committed to the passage of the #PoliceReformBill to ensure that our Police Force is more efficient and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.”
As shown in a series of tweets via the verified Twitter handle of the Nigeria Police Force, @PoliceNG, the police chief was reportedly received by the head of the deceased’s family, Mr. Remi Lukman, in their residence at No. 1, Beco Street, Onipetesi, Mangoro BusStop in Lagos.
Also, the police boss has reportedly revealed the identities of the Anti-Cultism Unit officers whose stray bullet allegedly killed Johnson, on Sunday night in Ikeja.
He identified the suspected officers (names withheld), who are currently in detention, as an inspector and a sergeant.
According to eyewitnesses, a police team which stormed Olu Aboderin Street at Onipetesi in Ikeja to arrest a suspected cultist, had released sporadic shots into the air after picking their target and one of such bullets hit Johnson, an only child, said to be watching Liverpool match at the time.
The policemen were arrested and detained after the incident, while police spokesman Bala Elkana on Tuesday disclosed that the state police boss, Zubairu Muazu had paid a condolence visit to the family.
He said the police boss reassured the family that justice would prevail.
The tweets read partly: “Muazu condemned the action of members of the anti-cultism team suspected to have carried out the shooting and reiterated his commitment in ensuring that justice is done in the matter.
“He stated that the men suspected to have carried out the shooting have been apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary procedures.
“He also revealed their names as Insp… and Sgt…, who were both attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad.
“The CP prayed for the repose of the soul of Kolade Johnson and also prayed that the Almighty God will grant the family, friends and well wishers the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“In his reaction, family head, Mr. Lukman, expressed his gratitude to the CP for honoring the family with his presence and his resolve in ensuring that justice prevails in the case.
“He commended the CP for the bold steps taken in exposing those behind the shootings.
“He added that, ‘I thought it is going to be a one man’s fight, but seeing the Police high Command joining our family in this fight has shown that justice will not only be done to Kolade but to the entire Nigerian youths.’”
Impressed by the visit, the Lagos State Police Command spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, who signed the tweets, said.“I am glad that we have a new Police Force which believes in justice.”
The police boss was reportedly accompanied by the DCP in charge of the Department of Finance and Administration, DCP Ayuba Elkanah; DCP in charge of the Department of Operations, DCP Mohammed Ali; the DCP in charge of Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Yetunde Longe, and other Senior Police Officers from the Command.
