Damilola’s parent had alleged that he was killed in a controversial circumstance by some policemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Ondo State Police Command in Akure penultimate Saturday.
The police in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the state command, Mr. Ballah Nasarawa, insisted that the late Damilola, was a notorious armed robber, who had evaded arrest before he was killed in a gun duel with the police.
Nasarawa described the statement credited to the deceased‘s father, Mr. Olusola Agbede, that his son was a victim of police extra-judicial killings, as unfortunate.
He said Damilola had been on the wanted list of the state command in connection with many cases of armed robbery directly linked to his gang.
The police boss explained that four members of the late Damilola‘s gang; Kayode Alonge (Kabu), Tosin Adeleke, Francis Abiola, and Femi Olusanya, were arrested by the police on June 23, 2010, adding that they had all confessed that Damilola was their leader.
He said Damilola engaged the police in a shoot-out at the Ijapo area of the state when the security operatives invaded the area after receiving a distress call that he and his gang were operating in the area.
To assert his claim, Nasarawa said the police already had exhibits including, a Toyota Corolla Salon Car with registration number Lagos: LL 712 AM; Toyota Camry Salon car with registration number Abuja: BJ 979 RBG; Honda Accord Salon with registration number Lagos FT 395 LND, as some of cars allegedly stolen by the deceased and his gang.
He said other items recovered from the gang included, a locally-made short gun, two expended cartridges, six live cartridges, and two pieces of pellet removed from the bodies of the policemen shot by Damilola during the shoot-out.
In addition, Nasarawa said Damilola was seen with a Toyota Corolla car with registration number Lagos: LL 728 AAA suspected to have been robbed from someone in Ikorodu but was fixed with a fake plate number Abuja: DW 866 ABC on August 28, 2010.
He said the deceased was chased by the police but ran into the premises of the state specialist hospital, Akure, abandoned the car and jumped over the fence.
He said, “The state Police Command was inundated with several cases of armed robbery and car snatching perpetrated and linked to the late Damilola, but he had been escaping and evading arrest not only in Ondo State but also in the neighbouring states of Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos.
“Records and evidence abound at these states for further clarification.
“On 23/06/2010, the gang attacked one Mr. Atere of Kajola Quarters, off Oda Road in Akure at gunpoint and took away his End of Discussion Honda Car with registration number Lagos: FT 395 LND, one Plastma television set, and one Dell Laptop.
“The Honda Car was later recovered in Osun State after a hot chase by operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad.
“The above were just to mention but a few of his criminalities. It is pertinent to state that the the Ondo State Police Command is determined as always, to rid the state of criminal elements and will not be deterred in achieving this.”
But the father of the deceased, who was a retired Chief Registrar of the Ondo State Judiciary, Mr. Olusola Agbede, maintained that his son was innocent of all crimes traced to him by the police.
He said, “Damilola came from Benin, the Edo State capital to see his sister who had just returned to Nigeria from London.
“He had just celebrated his 27th birthday and had completed all the processes of his United Kingdom student visa in order to further his education.”
Olusola, however, said he was awaiting the outcome of a petition he wrote to the Inspector General of Police alleging that Damilola‘s killing was a clear case of extra-judicial killing by the police.
Source: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010041534575
This is not a case of "extra-judicial killing by the police." The boy was a THIEF as is his senior brother residing in UK. Maybe that is what Damilola would have went on to London to do as well, 419...The sooner our country is rid of association with crime/robbery/fraud/corruption, the better it will be for decent honest people who have to ashamedly admit they are Nigerians as well and be tarnished/judged by the world with the same brush!
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