The family of a student journalist, Pelumi Onifade, allegedly killed by policemen attached to the Lagos State Task Force, on Saturday, October 24, has demanded justice.
The 200-level student of the Department of History, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, was working as an intern with an online television, GboahTV, when the unfortunate event took place.
According to the management of the online TV, the 20-year-old journalist was covering the scene of a mob attack at a government facility in the Oko Oba axis of Agege Local Government Area when operatives of the Lagos State Task Force stormed the scene and engaged hoodlums who attempt to loot palliatives at the Ministry of Agriculture store in the Abattoir area of the state. Onifade was allegedly shot by one of the security operatives, though; he wore his professional jacket as a journalist.
The TV station also claimed the wounded reporter was taken away by the men of the task force and “was later found dead at Ikorodu mortuary after days of searching all police stations and meeting with the Lagos State Task Force.”
The statement partly read: “It has been confirmed that the Gboah TV staff, ‘Onifade Pelumi,’ arrested by the Lagos State Task Force at the Ministry of Agriculture, Abattoir, Agege, is dead. The police are currently investigating the matter and have assured the management, the family, and the community that the investigation would be thorough and swift.
“Onifade Pelumi died while covering the scenes at the site of the palliative storage centre. He will be deeply missed.”
Chairman of the task force, Yinka Egbeyemi, when contacted said the matter has been forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.
“Please contact the PPRO for insights on the matter. The case is under investigation and it has been transferred to the Commissioner of Police,” Egbeyemi said.
