The fatal shooting of a Nigerian man brings more demands to shut down a controversial police unit
The fatal police shooting of a Nigerian man has sparked outrage and reignited a public call for the shutdown of a controversial police unit in the country.
Kolade Johnson was shot by officers with Nigeria’s anti-cultism police unit during a raid in Lagos on Sunday, according to a statement from the Nigerian Police Force.
Members of the unit were searching for a suspect and at one point fired into the air, Johnson’s family and lawyer told CNN.
The 36-year-old father and a friend were leaving a soccer viewing center in the area, where they had gone to watch a Premiership league match, when a stray bullet hit and killed Johnson, his family and lawyer said.
Johnson died at the hospital while waiting for treatment, according to his sister Toluwani Lukman.
Lukman said her brother was dedicated to his family and had just returned from South Africa, where he had lived for five years to focus on his music career.
“He had saved up some money while working in South Africa and he returned to Nigeria to start his own music label. He was just getting back on his feet. I can’t believe he is gone,” Lukman told CNN.
Johnson’s killing provoked widespread anger among Nigerians, who said the police unit had gone rogue and should be disbanded immediately.
High-profile Nigerians including Nollywood actors, politicians and celebrities took to social media, calling for justice.
Police in Lagos said the officers who fled the scene after the shooting were identified with the help of eyewitnesses.
“Members of the team suspected to be involved in the shooting have since been arrested and are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation,” Lagos police spokesman Bala Elkana.
Nigeria’s Presidency sent its condolences to the family in a post on Twitter and said the Nigerian police have assured the government that the members of the unit involved in the shooting were under arrest and were facing disciplinary measures.
Lagos State Commissioner Zubairu Muazu also paid a condolence visit to the family Tuesday and assured them their would be justice.
Nigeria’s police force also shared photos of two police officers wanted in connection to the shooting.
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