Civilians in Nigeria are begging the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) to end its anti-robbery operations after an innocent civilian was murdered at the hands of law enforcement Sunday.
According to The Whistler, Kolade Johnson was struck by a stray bullet when officers were attempting to subdue another suspect. The 36-year-old was watching a soccer match in the Mangoro neighborhood when the incident occurred.
Per a friend of the victim, authorities wanted to detain a gentleman named Ismail Folorunsho because of his dreadlocks.
"They wanted to arrest Ismail who is known to everyone in the area and people quickly gathered to find out why," Dennis Ikpoba said. "We later learnt that it was because he had dreadlocks that they wanted to arrest, fearing he might be a criminal."
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Protests against FSARS have inspired several hashtags online, such as #JusticeForKolade, #EndSARS and #ReformPoliceNG. Nigerians across the globe have voiced their disapproval for the department's wrongdoing.
I am just laying on my bed right now thinking of how this young innocent man “Kolade Johnson” was killed on the 31st of March 2018 by officers of the SARS for no reason, only son ( child ) of he’s parents, also a father to a small baby pic.twitter.com/cO0LaK4G9Q
— RIP KOLADE RIP KOLADE (@Desmondkobi) April 1, 2019
Seeing the pictures & videos of Kolade Johnson, a young man in his prime, gunned down & killed by the very @PoliceNG that was meant to protect him is heartbreaking. It's very disheartening
— Igala_king (@I_Am_Ilemona) April 1, 2019
Kolade JOHNSON will not die in Vain. ???? pic.twitter.com/8kCruRiz9q
— SEGA L’éveilleur®???? (@segalink) March 31, 2019
I AM KOLADE JOHNSON, YOU ARE KOLADE JOHNSON, WE ARE ALL KOLADE JOHNSON. #EndPolicebrutality in Nigeria.
— Cinderella Man (@Osi_Suave) April 1, 2019
This was Kolade Johnson aka Kaylo just last week. My heart is heavy right now! ???????????????????? RIP my man. Shame on @PoliceNG. Shame on everyone that would have done something to prevent this, but chose not to! Shame on you all ! #EndSACS
#EndSAKS
#ENDSARS
pic.twitter.com/S2xnDxMnzU— RIP KOLADE JOHNSON (KAYLO) (@highfee_classic) March 31, 2019
FSARS has yet to release a statement about the ambush, but a spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Public Relations Office confirmed to Nigerian publication Punch that its bureau would open an investigation into Johnson's killing.
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