SAD: Suspected Gangsters on bail kill NURTW member, injure other

One person was killed while another person sustained gunshot wounds after three suspected gangsters, who were recently released from jail, invaded an end-of-the-year party in the Mushin area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the deceased, Nurudeen Badmus, was a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Branch A, Odi Olowo.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the

incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday around Coker Street, Olosha.

The alleged killers were identified as Muda, aka Oriyomi, Lanre Pumping and Orinmoye aka Amala.

An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Jamiu, said, “Around 1am on Saturday, the chairman, NURTW, Olosha Branch, Tunde aka Zobodina, was holding an end-of-the-year party when Adigun, Lanre Pumping and Amala, drove to the party in a grey-coloured Honda Pilot and opened fire.

“Zobodina was shot in the head but survived. However, Badmus was killed on the spot. We reported the matter at the Alakara Police Division, while Zobodina was rushed to a hospital.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident, said efforts were on to arrest the suspects.

“The ugly incident occurred around 2am. One Nurudeen Badmus was killed at Olosha Bus Stop by three suspected armed men led by one Orimonye alias Amala. Efforts are on top gear to apprehend the fleeing suspects. The case is under investigation at Alakara Police Division,” she said.

However, policemen as well as residents have raised the alarm over the manner at which gangsters are released from prison custody.

A detective attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba said it was time for the Ministry of Justice to put a stop to it.

He said, “28-year-old suspected cultist, Oriyomi, was arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court on September 30, 2013, for allegedly being responsible for the death of four people during cult clashes in the Mushin area of Lagos.

“Oriyomi made a confessional statement that linked him to six deaths in confraternity conflicts in Mushin. The magistrate, Mrs Y.B Okusanya-Badejo, remanded him in prison pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution and the matter was adjourned till November 19, but was later adjourned when the DPP’s advice wasn’t ready.

“We were however surprised to hear that he was released about two weeks ago without our knowledge.”

A resident, Kazeem Balogun, said most times, after gangsters were released from prison, they usually go after those responsible for their arrest.

“This is the reason why many of us do not like to make statements at the police station because after these criminals are arrested and released, they come after us,” he said.

A policeman attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, however said the criminals usually get bail with the cooperation of state prosecutors.

He said, “When a murder case is brought before a magistrate, the magistrate’s job is to remand the suspect until the DPP’s advice is ready. However, the lawyer of the defendant can file a motion for bail at a High court on grounds of fundamental human rights. The defendant would then be released without proper investigation.”

When contacted for comment, the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Bola Akingbade, promised to furnish our correspondent with details but had yet to do so as of the time of going to the press.

However, Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, who confirmed the trend, described it as demoralising for his men.

Manko said the police and the state government were holding meetings with a view to bringing it to an end.

He said, “We are aware of the controversial bail which these criminals usually get and I have been having meetings with the Attorney General of the state.