The team of Police Officers linked to the murder of one Kolade Johnson while watching a football match in a viewing centre has been arrested in Lagos, according to information disclosed by the Lagos PPRO, DSP Bala Elkana in a statement.
The victim, late Mr. Johnson, was reportedly shot by unidentified police officer from the Anti-Cultism Unit who went to the viewing centre and shot sporadically. In the process, a stray bullet hit Johnson and he bled profusely. He was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the area where he eventually died. His death sparked a protest along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway where the protesters blocked the road to expresses their anger over the murder. The killing was confirmed by the PPRO, DSP Elkana, who stated the position of the Lagos Police Command. He said that on 31st March, 2019 at about 5.05pm, the Command received a distress call that Lagos- Abeokuta Expressway was blocked by some angry youths who were protesting the shooting of one Kolade Johnson, of No.1 Beco Street, Onipetesi, Mangoro Bus Stop by a team of policemen from the Anti Cultism Unit.
Elkana explained that upon receiving the information, a team of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad and Metro Patrol were promptly drafted to the scene. He said that the account of eye witnesses helped in identifying the team which fled the scene immediately after the incident. He explained that the members of the team suspected to be involved in the shooting have since been arrested and are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation. The police spokesman stated that the arrested officers will be subjected to internal disciplinary procedures and may be prosecuted in the conventional Court if they were implicated by ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu, has called for calm, assuring that justice will prevail in the case. The Commissioner of Police also condoled with the family, friends and well wishers of Kolade Johnson.
The CP promised to initiate far reaching reforms to help in repositioning the Anti Cultism Squad for effective service delivery, particularly in areas of respect for human rights and proficiency in the use of firearms. He noted that the members of the public had made complaints on the activities of the Anti Cultism Squad and the State Command was ready to address the issue. Mr. Muazu enjoined the public to reach out to the State Police Command with the following numbers: 08063299264, 08065154338 and 08060357795, on the activities of officers in the Command.
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