Who killed 38-year-old domestic cleaner Francis Ene on Monday morning at Ajisegiri Street, Ilupeju in Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA)?
Was it the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) as alleged by residents or hoodlums according to the police?
Ene was hit by a stray bullet during a gun battle between SARS operatives and suspected members of a robbery gang at about 8am while carrying out his routine sweeping job.
The Nation reports that Ilupeju has experienced cult clashes, especially between rival groups, Eiye and Aiye, in recent time that have left no fewer than six persons dead.
There have also been allegations of robbery, rape and extortion against hoodlums in the area and those from Onipanu and Mushin.
Residents, who took to social media to protest yesterday’s killing, alleged that it was one Akeem alias Skoda, a SARS operative attached to Ladipo Sectorial Command in Mushin, who fired the bullet that hit Ene in his head.
They said the operatives were on an illegal raid in the area and fled in a silver Toyota Corolla saloon car with number plate YAB725AP they came in as soon as they confirmed that the victim was dead.
A witness told The Nation that the incident occurred at 8:10am beside the main gate of Christ Centre Primary School in Ilupeju, adding that Ene was walking in the midst of some pupils who were left terrified when the bullet hit him.
“The fleeing anti-robbery officers left the victim in a pool of blood. None of the people arrested during the raid was taken away by the fleeing officers; they were reportedly freed after learning that the victim had died,” a witness said.
When our reporter got the scene, some of the personal effects the victim had with him at the time of the incident, including a bucket, brooms, a parker and a hard brush, were found around the body.
The development led to a protest by residents, who described the incident as “another SARS killing in the area.”
It was gathered that the late Francis died a few metres away from another spot where a woman, Mrs. Adeyanju, slumped and died, following the arrest of her 16-year-old son, Muiz, during an evening raid.
The victim’s younger sister, Esther Eni, who was at her workplace in Ikeja when the incident happened, arrived on the scene at 10:13am. She broke down in tears after seeing the body in a pool of blood.
She said: “It was my brother (the late Francis) who woke me up today around 6am and asked if I was not going to work. I bathed quickly so that I would not be late. As I prepared to leave, I saw him arranging his sweeping kit. He told me that he had early morning sweeping duties in a couple of houses in the neighbourhood. Then, he bade me goodbye.
“At 8:30am, I got a call from my cousin, informing me that Francis is dead. I was confused because he never showed any sign of illness. Then, I was told SARS officers shot him in the head. I don’t know how to inform our ageing parents in the village. These SARS people have ruined us. How do we get justice?”
Attempts by plain-clothes policemen from Ilupeju Police Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), to take the body away were stopped by the residents, leading to an argument.
In the ensuing melee, the DPO allegedly called for reinforcement from the Area “F” Command in Ikeja, which led to the deployment of anti-riot policemen and anti-cultism squad in the area. This resulted in sporadic shootings, with residents scampering for safety. The police raided houses on the street and adjoining streets to arrest protesters. The body was taken away in a police van on the order of the Area “F” commander.
When the bereaved family went to complain about the incident at the SARS Sectorial Command in Ladipo, Mushin, the vehicle used for the raid by the SARS officers was allegedly found on the premises.
Our reporter also saw the Toyota Corolla car at the station.
The victim’s family demanded justice, calling on the command to fish out the “killer-officers”.
The victim’s cousin, David Abore, recalled his last moment with the deceased, saying Ene had already completed his sweeping duty in some houses.
He said the victim was shot while he was going to do his job on the street.
David said: “Before he left for sweeping, he went to feed the chickens he was rearing in a cage he kept them. In his usual character, he jovially told neighbours not to open the cage whenever he left for his sweeping job, so that the chickens would not escape. We all laughed and left. The next thing we heard was that he had been shot dead by SARS.”
Residents described the late Ene as “easy-going and jovial”. He was said to be fond of entertaining children in the neighbourhood, which earned him a nickname, ‘Uncle’.
A statement by police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), claimed that the operatives had gone to the area with a notorious suspect, Ikechukwu Monye, 39, to identify their armoury and were attacked by suspected members of the gang.
Elkana claimed that the incident happened around 7:30am, adding that Ene was killed by a bullet from the assailants, who shot sporadically to disrupt the operation.
“Reinforcement was quickly drafted to the scene. The whole area was cordoned off to apprehend members of the gang and bring them to justice.
“The gang in question is responsible for robberies at Ilupeju and its environs. They have been on the wanted list of the police for murder of six persons during the three robberies they carried out.
“The command condemns in totality, the senseless killings of innocent persons by those criminal elements and will not tolerate attacks on its personnel by criminals.
“The command has vowed to end the activities of this deadly gang. The public are enjoined to remain calm, as the command has intensified patrols and surveillance in the affected areas.
“The body of the victim of this violent attack has been removed and deposited at the mortuary for post-mortem. The command extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and assured them that justice will prevail,” he said.