The Take It Back Movement, Niger State Chapter, has vehemently condemned the brutal killing of Sani, a footballer shot dead by the Nigerian Police Force while sleeping at his friend’s tea stall in the Sabon Gari area.
The Movement has called for justice and accountability for this inhumane act, demanding that authorities take action against the officers involved.
In a press statement released on Thursday, the movement’s Niger State Coordinator, Comrade Mohammed Audu, highlighted the disproportionate use of force and lack of professionalism displayed by the police.
The statement criticized the officers’ claim of pursuing alleged criminals as insufficient justification for endangering the lives of innocent citizens in a densely populated area.
Emphasizing the movement’s commitment to protecting human rights and the rule of law, Audu issued an ultimatum, demanding a response from police authorities within a week, that failure to address the issue adequately will prompt the movement to mobilize resources and ensure justice is served.
See the full statement below:
Press Statement: Take It Back Movement, Niger State Chapter
Condemnation of the Brutal Killing of Sani by Nigerian Police and Call for Justice (#Justice4Sani)
The Take It Back Movement, Niger State Chapter, vehemently condemns the brutal and inhumane killing of Sani by the Nigerian Police Force in the Sabon Gari area.
Sani, a footballer, was shot dead by men of the Nigerian police force while sleeping at his friend’s tea stall.
While the police officers claim to have been chasing alleged criminals, this does not justify the sporadic shooting in a densely populated urban area like Sabon Gari, endangering the lives of innocent citizens.
We call for justice and accountability in this tragic incident. The killing of Sani demonstrates a severe lack of professionalism and a reckless disregard for public safety by the Nigerian police.
As a movement dedicated to the protection of human rights and the rule of law, we demand that the police authorities take appropriate action against the officers involved.
Should the authorities fail to respond adequately within the week, the Take It Back Movement will mobilize its resources to ensure justice is served.
Signed,
Comrade Mohammed Audu
Niger State Coordinator, Take It Back Movement
Global human rights organization, Amnesty International Nigeria had also on Tuesday condemned the killing of footballer Sani
In a statement released on their official Facebook page, the organization called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the tragic incident.
According to the statement, “The Nigerian authorities must immediately and impartially investigate the killing of a footballer Sani by a policeman at New Market Sabon Gari Chanchaga LGA of Niger state. Sani was shot dead by the police while sleeping at his friend’s tea stall.”
Eyewitness accounts provided to Amnesty International described the perpetrators as heavily intoxicated and engaging in indiscriminate shooting within the community. Sani has since been laid to rest.
The statement further highlighted a concerning pattern of behavior within the Nigerian police force, noting that “Nigerian police frequently use routine patrols to carry out gross human rights violations, including extrajudicial executions, harassment, torture, and extortion.”
Amnesty International emphasized that “For decades, Nigeria police had been targeting youth with utter disregard for the rule of law. It is unacceptable that despite many pledges of reforms, the police in Nigeria continue to operate with complete impunity, while fomenting a toxic climate of fear and corruption.”
This incident has once again drawn attention to the urgent need for comprehensive police reform and accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement system.
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