President Buhari has reacted to the death of a Channels TV reporter, Precious Owolabi, who was shot dead in the heat of a clash between Shi’ite protesters and the Nigerian Police Force.
Below is a statement issued on Facebook by Femi Adesina, a Special Adviser to President Buhari.
VIOLENT IMN ABUJA PROTEST: PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS CHANNELS TV REPORTER, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates most deeply with the families of Precious Owolabi, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with Channels Television, and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usman Umar, of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, who died during the violent protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Abuja on Monday.
The President also condoles with the management and staff of the television station and police leadership over the loss, urging them to remain steadfast and committed to their professional callings.
Describing Owolabi and Umar as “law-abiding, hardworking and vibrant Nigerians with a promising future,” President Buhari calls their untimely fate “sad, regrettable and worrisome.”
Sequel to his directive to the leadership of security and law enforcement agencies to safeguard the nation against such mindless attacks, the President reassures residents of Abuja in particular and the country in general to go about their lawful activities without fear.
President Buhari adds that perpetrators of the mayhem will not go unpunished, stressing that no government can tolerate unceasing affront to constituted authority.
According to the President, “Let nobody or group doubt or test our will to act in the higher interest of majority of our citizens.”
He prays God Almighty to grant rest to the souls of the departed and speedy recovery to the injured.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 23, 2019
