A 31-year-old
artisan identified as Gafar Ajibola, drowned in Ogun River during a police raid
on Oniyanrin community in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of the
state, in
the early hours of Saturday October 29th. According to eyewitnesses, Gafar was
at the river washing his clothes when the police stormed there in search of
hoodlums.
The police
began shooting sporadically, causing Gafar to jump into the river out of fear.
An uncle of the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Tribune, said
his family will demand justice over the death of Gafar.
“This is an
unfortunate situation. My brother was not a criminal. He was at the river bank
to wash his clothes. He jumped into the river out of fear following heavy
shooting by the police. We launched a search after his body until we found it
Saturday night. We are demanding justice in this case. We are going to take legal
step against the police on this matter.”
Confirming the
incident, the state police public relations officer, Aimola Oyeyemi, said:
“The
Commissioner of Police has directed that a powerful investigation be launched
to unravel the culpability or otherwise of its men. The men were just on
routine operational duty of providing residents adequate security. The case is
under investigation, the police are in the place to ensure safety of life and
property.”
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