The Police Public Relations Officer Lagos State Command, and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Bala Elkana, on Monday disclosed that the Police team attached to the Anti-Cultism unit alleged to have been involved in the killing of one Kolade Johnson at Ikeja on Sunday night, have been arrested and in custody.
DSP Bala Elkana confirmed this in a statement where he informed that the team members would undergo internal disciplinary procedures and then prosecuted if found culpable.
It was gathered the team had stormed Olu Aboderin Street in Onipetesi to arrest a man with dreadlocks on suspicion he was a cultist.
After allegedly picking up their target, the policemen allegedly started shooting sporadically, leading to a stray bullet hitting Johnson, said to be an only child who was watching Liverpool Football Club match.
An eyewitness had disclosed that Johnson, who recently became a father, died before they arrived Ikeja General Hospital, which sparked protest that stretched to Mangoro Cement and Dopemu areas of the state.
DSP Elkana said Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu had appealed for calm, adding that the police were able to identify the suspect team based on an eyewitness’ account. He said:
On 31/03/2019 at about 5.05pm, the Command received a distress call that Lagos- Abeokuta Express Way has been blocked by some angry youths who were protesting the shooting of one Kolade Johnson m of No.1 Beco street, Onipetesi, Mangoro Bus Stop by a team of Policemen from Anti Cultism unit.
A team of policemen from the Rapid Response Squads and Metro patrol were promptly drafted to the scene. The account of eye witnesses helped in identifying the team which fled the scene immediately after the incident.
Members of the team suspected to be involved in the shooting have since been arrested and are currently in Police custody undergoing interrogation.
They will be subjected to internal disciplinary procedures, and may be prosecuted in conventional Court if implicated by ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu mni calls for calm, assuring that justice will prevail in this case.
The CP also condoles with the family, friends and well wishers of Kolade Johnson. The CP has 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 & proficiency in the use of firearms.
Members of the Public who have complaints on the activities of Anti Cultism Squad or any of our Police teams should call the following numbers 08063299264, 08065154338 and 08060357795, please
DSP Bala Elkana
Police Public Relations Officer
Lagos State.