Tragedy in Lagos as Trigger-happy Policemen Kills Student While Chasing Popular Yahoo Boy, Baddo (Photo)

7 years ago

Tragedy in Lagos as Trigger-happy Policemen Kills Student While Chasing Popular Yahoo Boy, Baddo (Photo)

Tragedy has struck yet again in Lagos State after operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad shot dead an undergraduate of a polytechnic in Edo State while chasing a popular internet fraudster.

Eldanojie Joseph
Eldanojie Joseph, a 20-year-old student of a polytechnic in Edo State, who was said to be on a visit to his cousin in the Iba Ojo area of Lagos, has been shot and killed by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad at the Ogoja Market, LASU-Igando Road in Lagos State.
According to a report by Punch Metro, the operatives were chasing and shooting sporadically at a suspected Internet fraudster, identified as Badoo, who had parked his car and fled upon sighting the officers.
The victim who is an Edo State indigene, had reportedly gone out to buy a canned drink with his cousin, when he was hit by a stray bullet and reportedly died on the spot.
It was gathered that the officers took Joseph’s corpse, dumped it in the boot of the suspected fraudster’s car and drove off. The policemen on the team that killed the victim were identified as Lucky, Oganla.
Speaking to a correspondent on Thursday, the victim’s cousin, Ojah, disclosed that the police in order to cover up their misdeed, said Joseph was a cult member, adding that Joseph had only arrived in Lagos about three weeks ago.
He said, “We grew up and attended the same primary and secondary schools together. He gained admission into a polytechnic in Edo State, while I am still processing my admission into the same school.

“Around 9.30am on Monday, we strolled out to buy a can of soft drink. We were returning home when we learnt that some policemen were chasing somebody.

“We decided to go through the back of the market. As we turned back, my brother was hit by a bullet in the head and he fell down immediately. As I tried to call for help, I saw that the policeman that shot him had aimed his gun at me. I fled the place immediately.”
It was learnt further that the SARS team that conducted the operation alleged that the victim was a cult member and he had attempted to shoot at them when they fired back.
“But it was all lies. He only had the canned drink we bought, a phone charger and a handset on him when the incident happened. The police lied to cover up their misdeed,” Ojah added.
A legal practitioner and family friend of the victim, Saheed Sanni, decried the killing, saying the policemen must be arrested and brought to book.
He said, “Cases like this, involving SARS officers, have become rampant in the state. They kill with impunity and believe they can always get away with it. Whereas Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution protects the sanctity of human lives and prescribes punishment for violation of that sanctity. You cannot just take anybody’s life without a court order or judgment. We are taking up the case and justice must be done.”