The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), DIG Anthony Ogbizi, to take over investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Tiamiyu Kazeem in Sagamu, Ogun state, on February 22, 2020.
A press statement by Force Public relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, Monday in Abuja, said: “The IGP gave the order today, February 24, 2020 while reviewing daily reports of major crime incidents across the country.”
Kazeem, a player with former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Remo Stars, was reportedly killed by personnel of the Special Anti-robbery squad (SARS).
However, the Ogun State Police Command had denied the media reports stating that footballer, who was popularly known as Kaka, knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while trying to escape after his arrest.
A press statement by the Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the deceased, who was Assistant Captain of the football club, was arrested for wearing a military cap and not on suspicion of internet fraud.
“A Police Inspector attached to Zonal Intervention Squad, Obada-Oko, in Abeokuta, was said to have received information about the deceased that he was always putting on military apparels knowing that he was not military personnel.
“Based on the information, the inspector went to Sagamu and saw the deceased putting on a military cap, consequent upon which he got him arrested.
“On the way to Abeokuta, the vehicle they were travelling in developed a mechanical fault and while the officer was trying to rectify the fault, the arrested person jumped down from the vehicle to escape.
“In his bid to run across the road, a vehicle which was speeding knocked him down and he died on the spot,” the statement said.
Protest had erupted, Monday in Sagamu, over Kazeem’s death as protesters stormed the Palace of the Akarigbo and the Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, demanding justice for the deceased.
Meanwhile, Mba said the IGP while commiserating with the family and friends of the deceased, has called for calm and assured that justice would be done in the matter.
He said the police boss has reiterated that any person found culpable would be brought to book.
