Tears as youth shot by DPO is buried

Abiodun Ademola, the 26-year-old youth shot by the Divisional Police Officer of Pen Cinema, Lagos, on January 9, during the protest against fuel subsidy removal, was on Wednesday buried at Atan Cemetery, Yaba.

Before the burial, there was a lying-in-state at Yaya Abatan, Ogba, at the exact spot where Ademola was shot by Segun Fabunmi. It was attended by the members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, officials of the Office of the Public Defender and executive members of the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, which organised the funeral.

The community erupted in an emotional welcome as his body arrived in a white casket. Youths who had gathered in black T-shirts wailed while the Ademola’s siblings sobbed inconsolably.

At the graveside, some youths rained curses on the alleged killer DPO and called on the government to ensure that justice was done.

A pastor, Wole Oluwatobi, described the slain youth as a martyr. He said, “A monument will be unveiled in his name today (Wednesday). Though he neither had no child nor a wife, he would always be remembered in this community.

“A lot of people had died as he did, but have been forgotten today. That shows Ademola was a man destined for greatness. But we are celebrating him today, not as a man who died, but as a youth who was martyred for a good cause.”

Chairman of the local government, Dr. Oloruntoba Oke, described him as a symbol of peace. He said he was particularly pleased that Ademola was not caught and killed as a criminal.

He said, “This befitting burial, which we organised in conjunction with the family, is to serve as a beacon of peace for youths of this area. Ademola was said to have been a peaceful and loving youth. This is why we are celebrating him.