Young Protesters are Targets of Nigerian Police Killings

Young protesters participating in peaceful demonstrations across the country are targets of reckless shootings and killings by Nigerian security operatives. Since January 1, 2012, most Nigerians, especially the youth are taking part in nationwide demonstrations and protests following the Nigerian government's unpopular decision to end subsidies on premium motor spirit (petrol). Overnight, fuel pump prices monumentally leaped from, from $1.70 per gallon (45 cents per liter) to at least $3.50 per gallon (94 cents per liter). The costs of food and transportation also doubled in a nation where most live on less than $2 a day.

Ademola Aderinto was felled by police bullets allegedly fired by the divisional police officer (DPO) of Pen Cinema Police Station, Mr. Segun Fabunmi. The killing took place near Yaya Abatan in the Ogba area of Lagos during an attempt by a team of heavily armed police men to disperse a group of young people who were showing solidarity with the ongoing strike action. Three others with him received life-threatening gunshot injuries, and are currently receiving treatment in Nigerian hospitals. 

Reports say Mr. Fabunmi led the patrol team that monitored the location where Ademola was killed. Eye witness accounts further disclosed that Fabunmi opened fire on the unarmed protesters after his subordinates declined to carry out his shoot-at-sight directive.  

Spaces for Change (S4C) could not verify reports claiming that Fabunmi had previously killed sometime ago, and was dismissed from the police force, only to be re-instated six years later.  

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Yakub Alkali has apologized for the killing of Ademola Aderinto by one of his men at Abatan, Ogba, Lagos.  "The suspect has been arrested and would be prosecuted", the police commissioner said on the state-owned Lagos Television Authority on January 10, 2012. 

In a related development, another unidentified youth was unlawfully killed by police officers at Ibafo, along Lagos Ibadan Expressway, South West Nigeria following a clash between the police and a group of young protesters on January 10, 2012. One man was confirmed dead, while several others sustained severe injuries. The victim was in a 14 seater bus when he was hit a stray bullet fired by one of the police officers shooting indiscriminately. The police took the corpse away immediately, and has declined to make comments to the public regarding the incident.  

Spaces for Change (S4C) welcomes the steps taken by the Lagos State Police Command to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of these young persons, with a view to ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book. 


Spaces for Change commiserates with the families of the young Nigerians that were brutally murdered and injured in Lagos by trigger-happy police officers. The group is determined to take steps toward demanding accountability for these killings targeted at young Nigerians. A team of volunteer lawyers are currently gathering useful information/photos/evidence regarding the incident. 


More volunteer young lawyers are wanted. Together, we can make change happen!