Police pay condolence visit to family of slain LASTMA officer

Juliana Francis

The Lagos State Police Command paid a condolence visit to the family of late Rotimi Adeyemo, a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official, who was allegedly shot to death by a policeman, Olukunle Olonade, attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The police delegation was led by the Officer-in-Charge of SARS, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mr Peter Gana.  Adeyemo was allegedly killed at Iyana-Ipaja area of the metropolis at about 6 p.m. on November 28, while on duty.

Gana described the incident as unfortunate and prayed God to be with the family as they grief.

He said: "It’s a sad incident. On Wednesday last week, a call came in asking if I had a particular policeman that works with me. We were at Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) office on Monday and we are here with the same message to commiserate with you on the loss of Mr Adeyemo. It is God who gives life and nobody has the right to take anyone's life. Hearing the circumstances that led to this, we deemed it fit to come and assure you that we are with you in grief. The policeman himself is no longer alive; we would have asked him what happened. It's a really sad situation as I have heard wonderful commendations about Adeyemo.

"We on our part are working to make sure the relationship we have with LASTMA and other security agencies is not affected with this. We’re giving assurance that there will be no more occurrences of such. I have personally being talking to them on the use of force; it is unfortunate that this happened when they left for an assignment after the lecture. The way we came into this world and the day we will leave, we don't know. Definitely this is difficult to bear, may God grant him eternal rest."

The OC further made a personal cash donation to the deceased's widow, Eniola Adeyemo, giving assurance that he would do everything within his power to speed up inquest on the deceased’s body so that it could be released to the family for proper burial.

The deceased's elder brother, Mr Aderemi Adeyemo, thanked the OC and prayed that such incident doesn’t repeat itself though the deed had been done.

Aderemi said: "We have been receiving several calls and we want to avoid further damage. This is why we want the body to be released to us as soon as possible. The deceased’s 105 aged father had been threatening to come to Lagos for the body. We will also appreciate if you can assist the family as the deceased is the family's breadwinner. He left behind a widow, three children and aged parents. We were at LASTMA office on Monday for the same cause. We plead that you do something as regards the body as soon as possible."

The LASTMA official who accompanied the OC to visit the deceased's family commended him for deeming it fitting to commiserate with the family. She prayed that God will be with the family while they grieve over their loss. She also gave assurances on assisting the family in every possible ways.