‘Investigate Killing Of 14-Year-Old Drink Seller At Yoruba Nation Rally’
The killing of a 14-year-old drink seller by stray bullet at Ojota, Lagos state as widely reported today during Yoruba Nation rally is sad, unwarranted and avoidable.
The killing of this innocent girl in a shop put serious questions on the strategy, policy, planning and tactics of our police system in dispersing unarmed crowds by firing live bullets or killing citizens they are constitutionally empowered to protect.
Adeola Oyinlade, a human rights lawyer made the call in Lagos Saturday in a press statement.
Oyinlade stated that ‘at this critical period in the life of our dear country, adherence to human rights and international standards is what the police need to gain the trust of the society while carrying out their duties lawfully. One should know that when live ammunition is used on protesters, there would be casualties. I do not see a justification or proportionality of firing live bullets in this case which has now resulted in the death of an innocent girl who did not commit any crime.
‘The plethora of laws in force in Nigeria do not empower the Nigerian police to abuse firearms or kill any person at will. The constitution is emphatically clear that no person shall be deprived of his or her life except in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which the person has been found guilty. With a number of avoidable deaths recorded while quelling protests over the years in Nigeria, the police should immediately embrace human rights-based approach to policing and ensure that the Nigerian Police actions are in accordance with the fundamental principles for the development of a fair and just society.
‘The innocent girl killed today deserves justice. Her parents and family members have been put in an unexpected state of mourning. I call on the leadership of the Nigerian Police, Lagos State Command to immediately commence investigation on this matter, fish out and prosecute the killer.
