Precious Owolabi, Corps member shot during shiites protest dies in hospital

Lawan Mourns Precious Owolabi, Condemns Use Of Force By Security Agents On Protesters

A 23 year old corp member serving with @channelstv was shot and killed in the Clash between Shiites and security agents yesterday in Abuja

Precious Owolabi a Corps member with @channelstv was shot during the Police /Shiites clash during #freeelzakzaky protest and later died in the hospital. He died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the stomach. He was rushed to the hospital but didn’t make it.

The National Youth Service Corps member who was shot by the police during the protest by the Shiite members in Abuja Capital, Central Business District, has been confirmed dead this morning.

Demonstrators again took to the streets of Abuja on Monday demanding the release of their leader Ibrahim el-Zakzaky – in detention since 2015 – following reports of worsening health conditions of both he and his wife who is also being held.

Mahdi Garba, a member of the Shia movement, told newsmen that Monday’s protest started peacefully with supporters chanting “Free Zakzaky” but their members were attacked by the police.

More tha six people, including a police officer, were reported killed and several injured when the protesters clashed with security officers.

Amnesty International in a statement said it got a report that “six people were shot dead amid a reckless use of lethal force by the Nigerian police” during the protest.

The Shiite group, IMN, in a statement said 11 of its members were killed during the protest.

President Muhammadu Buhari in defiance to the three separate rulings of the high courts has refused to free the leader of IMN.

Lawan Mourns Precious Owolabi, Condemns Use Of Force By Security Agents On Protesters

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, has condemned the use of force by security agents on protesters.

The Senate President made this known in a statement on Tuesday through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ola Awoniyi.

Senator Lawan expressed his profound sadness over the avoidable loss of lives in the violent clash of members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria with security agents deployed to maintain law and order in Abuja on Monday, July 22, 2019.

He mourned with the management of Channels Television on the tragic death of their reporter, Precious Owolabi during the incident.

The President of the Senate says it is tragic that a brilliant life and professional prospect was abruptly cut short in a manner that diminishes us as citizens of a democratic nation.

Lawan extends his condolences to the family of Mr Owolabi, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the painful loss of their son, member and colleague.

He also sends his condolences to the family of Usman Umar and the Nigeria Police over the death of their son and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) during the incident.

Lawan sympathises with the families of other victims of the tragic incident.

The President of the Senate strongly condemns the habitual resort to violence by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria under the guise of the exercise of their rights to freedom of association and expression.

Senator Lawan also deplores the excessive use of force by the security agents on the protesters.

He calls on the security agencies to evolve a new approach for peaceful enforcement of law and order, even in the face of provocations.

He further urged the Federal Government to find a speedy resolution to the agitation by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, within the context of the rule of law and national peace and security.

All lawful options need to be considered towards avoiding carnage from needless confrontations of citizens with the security forces.