There was a protest in Ota, Ogun State yesterday, January 14, after a police officer attached to AARTI Rolling Mills Limited shot and killed a young man, Onuchukwu Chika Festus, a senior staff of the company. The incident sparked outrage in the area.

The victim, Onuchukwu Chika Festus

The incident happened on Monday, January 13, prompting the company’s staff and the deceased’s well-wishers to stage a peaceful protest yesterday, in front of the company premises, demanding justice.

Our correspondent’s investigation reveals the trigger-happy cop was assigned to guard AARTI Rolling Mills Limited, detached from the Operations Department at Police Headquarters, Eleweran, Ogun State.

A team of police officers from Sango Ota Division had visited the company earlier, looking to arrest the deceased over alleged offences. Not finding him, they instructed the officer on duty to arrest him upon his arrival.

Tragically, the deceased arrived at the office later that day, only to be met with gunfire from the officer, who had been assigned to protect the company. The incident drew a crowd of workers, who found his lifeless body in a pool of blood.

The deceased’s coworkers quickly alerted Onipanu police, the nearest station. Responding swiftly, they arrested the officer, detained him, and rushed the victim’s body to the hospital. Investigations are underway.

The deceased’s well-wishers and family protesting

To prevent further unrest, Onipanu Police Division transferred the killer officer to State CID Eleweran. Our correspondent learnt the deceased was from Isseke, Ihiala LGA, Anambra State. The Eze Ndigbo of Ado Odo Ota, Eze Dr. Paul Okonkwo Agbasiere, sent his aide, High Chief Igwe Anthony Okafor, to calm the protesters and urge them to let justice take its course.

Speaking with our correspondent, the deceased’s elder brother, Mr. Ogechi Onuchukwu, expressed shock, saying his brother had worked with the company for over 20 years without issues, even receiving a meritorious award.

The Deceased’s Family at the Eze Ndigbo’s Palace in Ado Odo Ota

‘Why would the policeman guarding the company take the law into his own hands and shoot him just because some officers from Ota station came looking for him over alleged offence?’ he questioned?

Eze Ndigbo of Ado Odo Ota, His Royal Highness, Dr. Paul Okonkwo Agbasiere

Eze Ndigbo of Ado Odo Ota, His Royal Highness,  Dr. Paul Okonkwo Agbasiere, has called on the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, AIG Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, and Ogun State CP, Lanre Ogunlowo, to investigate the incident. ‘No matter the offence, the policeman guarding the company had no right to kill a staff member,’ he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Ogun State, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, is yet to react to the incident.