The family of Owolabi Oniyiku, a Lagos-based man allegedly shot dead by policemen at a checkpoint in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, is crying out for justice.
The family is demanding a full investigation into the killing and the dismissal of the officers allegedly involved, accusing security personnel operating along the road of subjecting motorists and residents to harassment and extortion.
Oniyiku had reportedly returned to his community to celebrate the Oro festival and was expected to return to Lagos on Wednesday when he encountered policemen at Akinde Junction, along the Ifonyintedo axis.
A relative of the deceased, Kolade, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the policemen had seized some motorcycles at the checkpoint, leaving other riders worried that their motorcycles could also be impounded.
He said Oniyiku approached the officers to ask whether he could pass through another side of the checkpoint, but an argument allegedly broke out between him and one of the policemen.
According to Kolade, the deceased was turning away when the officer allegedly opened fire, hitting him despite the fact that he had neither attacked nor fought the policemen.
The family member said the incident left the family devastated, particularly because Oniyiku was the main breadwinner responsible for his mother and younger siblings.
He said the deceased regularly supported his siblings financially and took care of his mother, making his sudden death a severe blow to the family.
Kolade also expressed disappointment that no police officer had visited the family or formally contacted them following the shooting.
Oniyiku’s remains were subsequently deposited at a mortuary, where members of his family went to follow up on the body.
The family also rejected reports that Oniyiku’s wife had recently given birth, explaining that the newborn belonged to the wife of the deceased’s younger brother.
Meanwhile, the family has called on Governor Dapo Abiodun and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to intervene and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Kolade further alleged that residents and motorists regularly faced harassment at checkpoints along the road, with security personnel allegedly demanding money from them.
He claimed that the alleged extortion was particularly common on market days and urged the government to take action against what he described as abusive checkpoints.
The killing has also sparked tension in the community.
Following the incident, some youths reportedly set fire to two police station buildings in the area, amid anger over the alleged shooting.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Oniyiku had travelled from Lagos with some friends to celebrate the Oro festival before he was allegedly shot at the checkpoint.
The source described the location as a makeshift police checkpoint which had allegedly become notorious for harassment of motorists and commercial motorcyclists.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, had earlier promised to respond to inquiries about the incident.
