By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Akinwale Adeniran, has said that the authority of the Nigeria Police has commenced full investigation into the gruesome killing of a corps member, Damilola Iyanda.
The police boss spoke in Ado-Ekiti, while addressing members of the Federation of Ekiti Students Union (FESSU) who were protesting against the death of the corps member, allegedly shot dead last week, by a trigger-happy policeman in Ogbomoso.
The students had earlier staged a peaceful protest to the Ekiti State House of Assembly to demand justice for the slain corps member, who was killed by the police officer .
Recall that Iyanda, a native of Ogotun-Ekiti, was allegedly shot by a police officer deployed to the scene of a fracas that ensued during a party held off campus, after the convocation ceremony of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
Speaking on behalf of the students, National President of the Union, Benjamin Adekunle, demanded that a swift investigation be carried out and the perpetrator brought to book.
He stated that the peaceful protest to the Ekiti State House of Assembly is to call the attention of the Speaker of the House to liase with his Oyo State counterpart, to ensure justice for the deceased and his family.
He said: “We demand a swift investigation into this matter and the culprit should be brought to book. We demand for compensation for the family of the deceased. We demand for comprehensive treatment of his brother that sustained gunshot injury. He is at home and his health is deteriorating. We demand an end to police brutality in Nigeria. Police should be our friend, save us and not kill us.
“We have come to the House of Assembly today to speak with the Speaker to liase with his counterpart in Oyo State, for swift justice for Damilola Iyanda and Oluwafemi Iyanda. They are from Ekiti State, raised and brought up in Ogotun Ekiti.”
Receiving the peaceful demonstrators, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, condemned the killing of the slain corps member.
He said that the House will issue a strong statement to condemn the senseless killing adding that the police officer acted unprofessionally to murder a defenseless citizen.
“We express our condolences to the family and we condemn the killing and unprofessionalism of the police officer who murdered one of us, a youth from Ekiti State, who is also serving his fatherland, in cold blood.
“Whatever it is, I don’t believe any police officer will take the life of any human being and shot him, who is not a criminal and defenseless citizen without provocation.
“We condemn it and the House will be sitting. We will have a position during our plenary. Our resolutions will be passed and I know the House will condemn it. It’s so unfortunate his life was cut short.”