PUNCH
Executive Chairman, CACOL, Debo Adeniran
The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders has urged the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Umar Manko, to prosecute the policemen linked to the killing of a 60-year-old deejay, Adamson Bello, in Okokomaiko area of the state.
According to a statement on Wednesday, Executive Chairman, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, said it was necessary for justice to be served as regards the matter.
He also decried the detention of The PUNCH correspondent, Samson Folarin, by the police.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Bello was hit on the chest a few metres from his house when a policeman guarding South Bound Hotel, fired a shot.
It was also reported that the officers frustrated all efforts to get Bello to the hospital for medical treatment because the family could not obtain a police report demanded by the hospital.
Adeniran, who described the incident as unjustifiable, said the image of the Nigeria Police may not be redeemed if issues like this kept occurring and errant policemen were not brought to justice.
He said, “The coalition condemns the misuse of guns by the Nigeria Police for personal vendetta. It should be noted that acts like this, will not endear the police, who should be the custodian of the law and order, to the common man.
“More so, the spate of extra-judicial killings has risen in recent times and the reason why the killings continue is because perpetrators are hardly brought to book. Recent happenings have shown that families of victims are intimidated by the police, while some others were just too afraid to speak.
“However, the effort of improving the image of the police might never be attained with some bad eggs still serving in the Force. The killing of Adamson Bello and detention of the journalist speak volume of the havoc the police cause Nigerians on daily basis.
“It is saddening when police snuff life out of the people who they are constitutionally mandated to protect.”
Adeniran said the family of the deceased should be compensated and employees of the hotel should also be charged for misinforming the police.
He said, “It would be necessary that the CP takes necessary action to fish out the police officers behind the killing with a view to prosecuting them.
“The Bello family and The PUNCH journalist should be adequately compensated for the killing and infringement of fundamental human rights respectively.”