Man-slaughter by the Nigerian police in part of Lagos State after chasing an internet fraudster (Yahoo boy)

Edanojie Joseph

The victim who has been identified by Edanojie Joseph was only just 20-year-old before he was shot dead by the Nigeria police force, Lagos chapter, he is said to be a student of a polytechnic in Edo State.

Joseph was on a visit to his cousin in the Iba Ojo area of Lagos State in Nigeria before meeting his untimely death after he was shot dead by the Special Anti Robbery Squad at the Ogoja Market, LASU-Igando Road as the Anti Robbery Squad was shooting sporadically at a suspected Internet fraudster, according to a report.

Both Edanojie Joseph and his cousin were on their way to buy some soft drinks as at the time the horror incident occurred, Joseph who is an Edo State indigene died on the spot after a stray bullet hitting him in the head.

When such incident happens, Police officers always cook up stories to defend theirselves and Joseph;s case wasn't different as the officers claimed the victim was a cultist and wanted to shoot at them. The officers later dumped the body of the victim into the suspected fraudster's boot and drove the car away.

The officers involved in the horror killing has been identified as Lucky and Oganla.

Joseph's cousin narrated his story about his dead cousin.

"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."

Police earlier said your cousin was a cultist, Ojah responded by saying "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".

A family friend who is a legal practitioner of the victim, Saheed Sanni, decried the killing, saying the policemen must be arrested and brought to book.

Sheed further 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."