Osun State Governor calls for probe of Police shooting of reporter
The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has called for the probe of the alleged shooting of the Nations Newspaper Correspondent, Mr Toba Adedeji and a five year old pupil by police officers in Osogbo, the State capital, Southwest Nigeria.
Adedeji and a yet-to-be-identified pupil were reportedly shot on Tuesday by some policemen who were trying to disperse protesters who had gathered to mourn the death of one Abiola Afolabi who was allegedly killed by Police officers last month.
The reporter was covering the protest at the Olaiya intersection, near Alekuwodo Market by the youths over police brutality.
In a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Ismail Oyetola said; “shooting at unarmed citizens is condemnable and the incident could have been avoided.”
He described the incident as unfortunate, particularly as it occurred during the mourning of the death of a loved one.
Governor Oyetola therefore called for a thorough investigation of the incident with a view to bringing the culprits to book.
He said; “Shooting at journalists and unarmed citizen is completely unacceptable, irresponsible and condemnable. The police officers have no justification for this unfortunate and unlawful act. They could have employed other means rather than resorting to deadly force to disperse the group.
“We must ensure that this kind of and barbaric incident does not occur again in our State.”
While wishing the victims a speedy recovery, Governor Oyetola called on residents of Osun to remain calm by refraining from taking laws into their own hands, even as he assured them that the matter would be pursued to a logical conclusion.
Consequently, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, civil society organisations and government functionaries stormed the University of Osun Teaching Hospital in solidarity with the journalist and the five-year old pupil.
Police Commissioner visits
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner Police, Mr Olawale Olokode has equally visited the victims at the hospital to personally make relevant findings.
While wishing Adedeji quick recovery, he promised to investigate the shootings and bring any culpable officers to book.
In the meantime, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Osun State Council has demanded for the immediate redeployment of Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode, over the shooting of its member by men of the state command.
A statement by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and Secretary, Comrade Bukola Elufadejin gave the Inspector General of Police seven days ultimatum to redeploy Olokode, on the grounds of unprofessional conduct of the men and officers of the command under his supervision.
The statement called on the police boss, Usman Alkali to quickly intervene to save the state from avoidable crises due to insensitivity of the Commissioner.
An eyewitness, Mr. Henry Olamilekan said some policemen who had come to the area to disperse the youths started shooting sporadically during which the two victims were hit in the process.
The Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel of the NUJ, Mr Shina Abubakar who was also at the scene during shooting condemned the action of the law enforcement agent and advised them to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
