Police officers allegedly behind the death of Nigerian football fan identified

Two police officers allegedly behind the shooting of a Nigerian football fan, have been apprehended by the police. The suspects, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan and Sergeant Godwin Orji, were members of the Anti Cultism Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

Both men allegedly killed Kolade Johnson, a Nigerian football fan who was watching an English Premier League match on Sunday afternoon in Lagos.

The killing sparked public outrage and renewed opposition to the police units such as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which has become synonomous with brutality, extra-judicial killings, torture, extortion and impunity.

A video of Johnson’s body was shared more than 200,000 times on Twitter with the hashtag #EndSARS.

Lagos Commissioner of police, CP Zubairu Muazu, paid a condolence visit to the family of the decease. He condemned the actions of the men suspected to have carried out the shooting and promised the family that justice will be done in the matter.

The suspects are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation.

“They will be subjected to internal disciplinary procedures, and may be prosecuted in (a) conventional court if implicated by ongoing investigation.”

In response, the bereaved family commended the police for the rapid response and progress in finding those responsible.

He also shared his optimism that justice will “not only be done to Kolade but to the entire Nigerian youths”.

Activists told AFP that campaigning against SARS and similar units had improved the situation but a change in senior personnel earlier this year had led to a deterioration.

Amnesty International joined condemnation of the killing. It has long campaigned against police brutality in Nigeria.