2020, shows Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a
visit to Mrs Ngozi Iloamuazor, the widow of Mr Okechukwu who was
hit by stray bullet during the #EndSARS protest in
Surulere.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has visited
Mrs Ngozi Iloamuazor, the widow of Mr Okechukwu who was hit by a
stray bullet during the #EndSARS protest in the Surulere area of
the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu arrived at the victim’s house at 2pm on
Saturday and was received by family members led by their head,
Barrister Bede Enewally.
He commiserated with the family over the incident which he
described as unfortunate, saying late Iloamuazor should not have
died under the circumstance but assured the family that the
perpetrators would be brought to book.
“On behalf of the state government and the people of Lagos, I
commiserate with the family over this mindless brutality that led
to the death of your son,” said the governor.
Trigger-Happy Officers?
He added, “We condemn the endless killing of innocent citizens
to the highest level. It is highly disheartening to learn that the
victim, Mr Iloamuazor, was performing his legitimate duty when the
unfortunate incident happened.
“The officers involved are undergoing orderly room trial as we
speak, but we will allow the police complete their
investigation.”
Governor @jidesanwoolu meets Mrs. Ngozi Ilo,
widow of the victim of Monday’s #EndSARS protest. The Governor
commiserated with her and assured that she and the entire family
would get justice. pic.twitter.com/pZ7C2qtX4h— Gboyega Akosile (@gboyegaakosile) October 17, 2020
Fifty-five-year-old Iloamuazor, who was a driver, died on Monday
during the protest that ended bloody when the police attempted to
disperse some of the protesters who were moving towards the
Anti-Cultism Police Command in the area.
A policeman, Inspector Ayodeji Er infolami, also died in the
incident.
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All the four policemen who opened fire on the protesters in
Surulere had been identified by the government and the police
authorities.
A Legitimate Agitation
But Governor Sanwo-Olu insisted that the state government would
take the officers’ punishment beyond the established disciplinary
guidelines of the police.
“We will certainly take the case out of the police and bring the
full wrath of the law on the officers who perpetrated this
irresponsible act. This will be a clear signal for other
trigger-happy officers,” he assured Iloamuazor’s family.
He added, “Mr Iloamuazor’s death is a sad loss not only for the
family but to the entire citizenry that has clamoured for an end to
police brutality.
“I assure you that his death won’t be in vain and the case will
not be swept under the carpet. This is going to be the beginning of
a real change that people want to see in law enforcement.”
The governor reiterated that his administration remained on the
side of those calling for a change in policing method.
He stressed that all those maimed or killed in Lagos in the
course of the demonstration would be duly compensated, stating that
the state government would honour their sacrifices by pushing for
reforms that would bring about a policing system that would uphold
the rights of citizens.
“As a government, we have stood on the side of the protesters
and we totally believe their agitation is legitimate.
“We need total reform in the policing system, and it is a
clarion call on all of us, who are exercising powers on behalf of
the citizens,” he said.