10th December, 2010
A group, Democratic Socialist Movement, DSM, has strongly condemned, and demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of a trigger-happy Divisional Police Officer DPO, Mr. Mohammed Bala of the Olosan Police Station Shomolu over the gruesome murder of Mr. Oluwafemi Olayiwola, popularly known as Femi Best.
The group disclosed that the DPO shot Femi Best on Sunday 5December, at Onipanu bus stop, Lagos around 5a.m. as the victim attempted to run into Onipanu Police Station, for protection.
The crisis was further mismanaged and compounded by other police officers around who tear-gassed and shot at protesting youths, injuring some who are presently receiving medical treatment.
In a press statement released by DSM, the group described the dastardly act as one out of many inhuman and unjustified killing and maiming of innocent Nigerians by men of the Nigerian Police Force who are expected to protect lives and properties.
“The gruesome murder of Charles Okoroafor and Tunde Olotu is still very fresh in our memories.  It should be recalled that Tunde Olotu was murdered by the policemen who shot at protesters during a protest on Saturday 3 April, this year, held following the gruesome murder of Charles Okoroafor on Thursday 1April,this year at a football viewing centre by the police during one of their usual illegal raids in Ajegunle,â€Â DSM stated.
DSM, therefore, demanded for a full scale investigation into the matter,to be conducted by a panel made up of members of the civil society, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA and the Shomolu community.
It also requested for an immediate compensation to be paid to the family of the deceased.
—Adeyera Olubunmi