Saraki Reacts To Murder Of Kolade Johnson, Reveals Senate Next Action

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, says he “heartfelt prayers are with the family and friends” of Kolade Johnson, a football fan, who was shot dead by policemen from the Anti-Cultism Unit (SARS) of Lagos State Command, “is a tip of the iceberg” of the ongoing police brutality in Nigeria.

Saraki  made this comment in a series of tweets on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, on Monday, April 1, where he noted that he has been in “contact with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs” and he that he is “pleased to announce that the Report of the Police Reform Bill will be laid by next week Tuesday.”

Naija News had reported earlier that Johnson’s death occurred when an unmarked commercial bus visited Mangoro/Onipetesi community in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city, on Sunday afternoon in search of youths dressed wildly and rocking dreadlocks.

In an attempt to disperse a crowd which had gathered during the raid, one of the police operatives shot dead Johnson, who was trying to leave the scene after watching English Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham.

Late Kolade Johnson.

Reacting to the ugly incident,  Saraki wrote: “My heartfelt prayers are with the family and friends of Kolade Johnson, the young football fan who was allegedly killed by men of the Nigerian Police in Mangoro/Onipetesi community in Lagos.

“Issues like the senseless killings, assault and extortion of everyday Nigerians by some ‘bad apples’ in the Police Force is what prompted @NGRSenate to introduce and fast-track the progression of the #PoliceReformBill.

“Make no mistake, the 8th Senate remains committed to the passage of the #PoliceReformBill to ensure that our Police Force is more efficient and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.

“I have also been in contact with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and I am pleased to announce that the Report of the #PoliceReformBill will be laid by next week Tuesday,” the Senate President wrote.

My heartfelt prayers are with the family and friends of Kolade Johnson, the young football fan who was allegedly killed by men of the Nigerian Police in Mangoro/Onipetesi community in Lagos. https://t.co/konc2qYM8Y

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) April 1, 2019

Issues like the senseless killings, assault and extortion of everyday Nigerians by some ‘bad apples’ in the Police Force is what prompted @NGRSenate to introduce and fast-track the progression of the #PoliceReformBill.

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) April 1, 2019

Make no mistake, the 8th Senate remains committed to the passage of the #PoliceReformBill to ensure that our Police Force is more efficient and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) April 1, 2019

I have also been in contact with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and I am pleased to announce that the Report of the #PoliceReformBill will be laid by next week Tuesday.

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) April 1, 2019