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PointBlank Exclusive: Youth Killed at Close Range Not a Thief…He is a Graduate of Benin Republic University, Corps Member Serving in Kogi, Says Family
The family of one the boys shot and killed on Tuesday by policemen at close range at the Igando area for allegedly stealing phones, is not a thief, his close family members has revealed to PointBlank.
The young man, whose name was given as Ayodele Gabriel Solana, is reportedly a youth Corp member, serving in Kogi State.
Speaking to PointBlank, the sister of the deceased, Seun Solana, said that her brother was victim of setup. While narrating the event that led to his brother’s cold blooded murder amid tears, Solaja said that the very policeman that shot and killed him was known to everyone in the area. She gave his name as Omo, saying that’s the name they know him with.
“My brother was in the house when someone came to call him out. Everybody had thought it was the usual police raiding which Omo and his boys were always doing in the area. They always come around, arrest some boys, and release them after collecting money from them.
“We don’t understand why they manhandled him and consequently shot him.”
When asked why the policemen singled out the boy and the other to kill, she said it could be because Ayodele was always opposing them when they come for raiding.
“You know, he is a corper, and was always against the extortion being perpetrated by the policemen. I assume they mark him out.
“Again, we hear that Omo, the policeman is a cult member, a member of one confraternity, who was really on police assignment but cult assignment to eliminate perceived enemies,” she said.
Meanwhile, the family said it has consulted their lawyer, and the matter will soon form a subject of litigation.
Efforts to reach the lawyer, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, who was a former Chairman of Ikeja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, has so far proved abortive.
We hear also that a press conference is being arranged to inform the public of the latest move.
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
