Two persons reportedly died in the violent protest that rocked Sagamu in Ogun state on Monday over the killing of a soccer star, Tiyamiyu Kazeem.
Kazeem who, until his death played for Remo Football Club based in Sagamu, was allegedly killed by an operative of the Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARs) on Saturday, along the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway after he was arrested for being an alleged internet fraudster (Yahoo boy).
But the State Police Command claimed that Kazeem attempted to escape after arrest and was knocked down by an oncoming vehicle, a claim that had been faulted by the deceased’s teammate, Sanni Abubakar, who was with him at the time of arrest.
Abubakar alleged that Kazeem was pushed out of the car and got knocked down by a passing vehicle.
Angry protesters, including women and youths took to the streets on Monday to express their grievances over the footballer’s death.
They also stormed the palace of Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, demanding justice for the deceased.
The protesters condemned incessant brutality and indiscriminate arrests by law enforcement agents in the town and its environs.
Former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, a member representing Remo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mrs Adewunmi Onanuga, and the state commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Funmi Efuwape, were at the palace to appeal to the protesters for calm.
Armed policemen were said to have been deployed in the town to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The atmosphere in Sagamu was tense as the protesters moved from one point to the other chanting anti-SARS songs.
However, things got worse as the protest reportedly turned bloody, claiming two lives.
It was learnt that the police fired live bullets to disperse the protesting youths and in the process, two of them were hit by the bullet.
The Spokesman of the State Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, while reacting to the protest, said the protesters were dispersed by the police while advancing towards a police station.
Oyeyemi said, “Some people protested in Sagamu. In the course of the protest, they advanced towards the police station but the police men dispersed them.”
When asked to confirm killing of two men by the command’s Operatives, he said “I don’t have information on that.”
