The remains of a Chief Superintendent of Police, Kazeem Abonde, attached to Lagos State Police Command, has been committed to mother earth amid tears and glowing tributes from colleagues and family members, including the deceased wife and young children.
Abonde, who met his end after he was attacked by hoodlums while enforcing the restriction of commercial vehicles in Ajao Esate area of Lagos, was buried in hometown in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday in the presence of family and well wishers.
Relatives and residents in the area where the slain police officer hailed from were full of emotions and wept uncontrollably as his remains was brought to the family house by his colleagues led by the Lagos Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Ahmed Kotangora.
Reacting to his tragic end, widow of the late officer, Idayat and his young children described the deceased as a loving husband and a caring father whom their world were built around, adding that his presence always bring cheer and lighten up their home.
They said that Abonde’s death was still like a dream to them, regretting that it was surprising their breadwinner was brutally murdered in cold bold while on official duty in service of his fatherland.
On his part, the deceased officer’s elder brother, Kehinde Musbawudeen, said that though the death was painful and described it irreparable loss, the family would find the courage to see it as God’s will, noting that no one can question the Almighty.
He, however, urged the police to ensure that those who killed his brother were brought to justice in an open and transparent manner such that would boost Nigerians confidence in rule of law and the country’s justice system.
Also briefing journlaist after the burial rites, DCP Kotangora, described the deceased as a courageous and dedicated officer who was very instrumental to the success the police recorded against criminality in Lagos State.
He said that the command was already investigating the killing while promising that the killers would soon be brought to book in no distance future.
The Guild had reported that aside from Abonde was allegedly killed by commercial motorcycle operators popularly called Okada, they also injured two others during an attempt to prevent the law enforcement officers from impounding their motorcycles.
It was gathered that the clash started after the aggrieved motorcyclists, in an attempt to recover their seized property from the law enforcement agency officials, mobilised and attacked them.
The incident occurred between 5pm and 6pm last Thursday at Ajao Estate in Isolo axis of Lagos when the policemen impounded their motorcycles for allegedly flouting the State Traffic Law.
As learnt, the deceased law enforcement officer, who was incharge of B Operations of Lagos command, led the operations for the enforcement of the motorcycles within the council.
While attempting to prevent the deceased officer from enforcing the law, the okada riders were said to have disarmed the policeman and later used his service firearm to kill him along Asa Afariogun Road at the junction to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
Having bagged Master’s Degree in Law, and just had about nine months service duration, Abonde who was said to be planning to go into full time law practice before his life was brutally cut short during the incident.
