Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a recent press conference announced the arrest of four police officers who brutally assaulted #EndSARS protesters in the Surulere area of the state on Tuesday, October 13.
Recall news had made rounds earlier about the killing of a driver who was merely a bystander by a policeman who fired gunshots, killing him. The officers who are from the Area C command also arrested some of the protesters who were later released, reports say.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that the erring officers have been arrested and are facing orderly trial.
“Also, to mention that Lagos state is taking the issue of police misconduct very seriously, earlier this week, we all recall the incident that happened at the Area C command in Surulere. All four officers have been identified and are going through an orderly trial.
All the four erring officers whose name I will also mention have also been apprehended and are going through an orderly trial. They are Inspector Bagou Michael, Inspector Ekpoudom Etop, – Sergent Nnamdi Madura, and Sergent Akinyemi Benson.”
The Lagos State governor also said it has set to a seven-member panel to look into cases of police brutality and compensation for victims with verifiable cases, adding that a 200 million trust fund has been setup and will be managed by the panel.
“We have also set up a panel to look into all cases of police brutality and fatality and have set up a N200m compensation fund. I will make all announcements shortly. Once again, I apologise to any protester that has faced brutality during any of the protests days.”
“The panel will be chaired by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi. Other members are: Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN (representing the civil society); Rtd. DIG Taiwo Lakanu (a retired deputy inspector general of police); Ms Patience Udoh (representing the civil society); Mr. Segun Awosanya (human rights activist); Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya (director, Citizens Mediation Centre ; as well as a rep/member of the youth-led protest and a representative of the Human Rights Commission, ” he said.
