The widow of slain Muslim Cleric, Abdulfatai Oladapo Mrs. Abdulfatai Nofisat, two children (Issa and Abdulbasit) and other family members are eagerly waiting for justice for the killing of their husband, father, son and scholar by a trigger happy police officer identified as Inspector Charles Okoro.
Pix Police file
Abdulfatai Oladapo was said to have been hit by a stray bullet from the gun of his alleged assailant Inspctor Charles Okoro on May 20, 2020 in the Orebiyi area of Igando-Ikotun LCDA of Alimosho LGA, Lagos State while the later was trying to apprehend a commercial tricycle operator popularly known as Keke Napep purported to have flouted on the order on curfew as placed by the government in a bid of containing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
During the Lagos Police Command’s courtesy visit to the family of the slayed Islamic cleric by the Commissioner of Police Lagos State ably represented by the Area Commander of Area “M” police command Idimu, SP Mike Ochuko in June 2020. In attendance were members of the slayed immediate and extended families, members of Know Your Right Initiative, other Human Rights Organisation and representatives of Yadullahi Muslim Society .
The commissioner in his condolence speech condemned the unwarranted action of the said officer, as he was reported to have targeted a tricycle rider who was getting away from being arrested and affirmed that the officer has been arrested, detained and that an orderly trial had begun; noting that he will be made to face the law soon with appropriate punishment served..
In their response; the spokesperson for the deceased family, Barrister Kolawole Yekini acknowledged the efforts of the police command boss while reiterating on the rising pace of reckless killings of innocence citizens by men of the police force which represent a sharp contrast to their duties of securing lives and properties of citizens as enshrined in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria is a source for concern citing some instances and urged the police authority to ensure proper training of its men and punish airing ones.
Pix: Paul Timothy
He appealed on behalf of the deceased family, especially for his widow with two kids and propose for compensations in the form of educational scholarships and monetary compensation be provided for his immediate family so as help in cushioning the pains the death of their bread winner may have caused without which they will be subjected hardship as a result of this reckless action of an officer of the police.
He averred that Yadullahi, a Muslim society which the deceased was an active member is a very large society which its members are studying and monitoring developments and how the authorities are handling the matter.
In response SP Mike Ochuko assured that their messages will be relayed to the Commissioner of police and hopes that appropriate measures will be taken towards resolving the matter. Meanwhile emerging indications are that some members of the alleged officer’s family have been making moves in reaching the deceased family on how the matter could be resolved through an alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
