24th May, 2012
The Africans for Human Rights International (AfriRights) has accused the office of the Inspector-General of Police of ‘criminal silence’ in bringing to justice those involved in the gruesome murder of Samson Okedusi, the Divisional Crime Officer, Ibereko Police Station in Badagry, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, and his colleagues.
Speaking with P.M.News in Lagos, AfriRights President, Comrade Afolabi Gbajumo, urged IGP Mohammed Abubakar, to revisit what he described as the “assassination” of the police officers, adding that the killings should be thoroughly investigated and the culprits brought to justice.
According to Comrade Gbajumo, it is now a year after the killings and nothing had been done.
“We commend the response of Mr. President’s official letter to our NGO last year assuring us that something positive would be done on the illegal and premeditated murders.
“We want to remind the President that contrary to his assurance, our NGO and the entire public have not seen anything noticeable being done on the issue to-date,”AfriRights stated.
Also speaking, elder brother of the late DCO, Micheal Okedusi, lamented that nothing had been done about the killings one year after despite a letter from the Lagos State Government that the killers would be brought to book.
He added that no investigation was conducted as the soldiers suspected to have carried out the act were still walking free.
“The matter should not be swept under the carpet. I want those that perpetrated the act be brought to justice,” he added.
Wife of the late Okedusi, Mrs. Omotayo, also lamented the delay in payment of her husband’s gratuity.
“Some unidentified people have prevented this matter from being investigated and the culprits brought to book.
“The mother of the deceased died of shock following news of the death of her son.
“My husband’s death deprived both the nuclear and extended family members of the necessary care. I don’t know why soldiers are hostile to the police,” she said.
Late Supol Okedusi and seven of his colleagues were allegedly killed by unknown soldiers on 24 May, 2011.
In his condolence letter to the family of the deceased, Governor Babatunde Fashola had assured them of his determination to ensure that those responsible for the killings were brought to book.
—Ayodeji Dedeigbo & Lucky Lawal