Residents of Aderinton and Yaya Abatan in Ogba, Lagos, where 26-year-old Abiodun Ademola was allegedly shot by the Divisional Police Officer of Pen Cinema Police Station, Segun Fabunmi, have debunked rumours that they are being harassed by policemen in the order not to give evidence in the ongoing investigation into the murder.
Ademola was hit in the crotch by a bullet after Fabunmi attempted to disperse a group of unarmed youths during protests against the removal of fuel subsidy last week Monday.
Eyewitnesses and youths in the area had told Metro that they were playing football on the road, while some of them were reading newspapers at a nearby newsstand when the DPO approached them and ordered them to disperse. They said the DPO then shot at the crowd killing Ademola
Rumours had circulated on social networks on Friday that policemen were going about the area intimidating residents and telling them not to testify.
But some residents, who spoke with our correspondent on Aderinton Street, Yaya Abatan and Abeokuta Street, where Ademola died, said the policemen only came to conduct investigation.
A resident of Abeokuta Street, Dele Mojeed, said, “It is true that the policemen came to this area. But to be fair to them, they did not harass anybody.
“I believe it is part of their investigation. They spoke to the person who picked the empty shell from the gun. They also visited the spot where Ademola died.”
At number 6 Aderinton Street residence of the deceased, a neighbour, Bimbo Ijasan, told our correspondent he had not heard of any police harassment in the area.
“If something like that had happened here you can be sure that the residents of this area would have done something about it. I’ve not heard of such an issue,” he said.
A man, who was questioned by the policemen, said passers-by might have circulated the rumour when they saw policemen in the area.
The man, who did not disclose his name, said, “The policemen asked me some questions when they came. They dare not harass anybody around here.
“The youth here are still very angry because of the incident. Coming here to intimidate people would be like lighting a match beside gun-powder.
“You know how policemen are. They can attempt it quite alright. But if they do such a thing here right now, they will only be asking for trouble.”
On Wednesday, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, had given assurance that the government would ensure that all necessary processes were followed in the investigation of the killing of Ademola.
Some political leaders from the area had also affirmed they would follow up on the case until justice is done.
This came on the heels of the pronouncement by the Chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Adebamigbe Omole, that the NBA would not rest on its oars until Fabunmi is brought to justice.
The police officer is currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department.
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