In a tragic incident that occurred on Tuesday, a police officer identified as Saheed SARS, notorious for his trigger-happy behavior, allegedly shot and killed a corps member named Iyanda Damilola in Ogbomoso Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The officer is a member of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) within the Oyo State Police Command.
Saheed SARS has gained notoriety among the students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso due to his frequent assaults, particularly targeting individuals he believes to be involved in cybercrime (“Yahoo boys”). In 2020, he faced severe criticism on social media after posing with a white Mercedes Benz, claiming to have purchased it.
The victim’s brother, Iyanda Oluwafemi, a recent graduate of LAUTECH, revealed that he himself was wounded by bullets fired by Saheed. Oluwafemi, who graduated from the Accounting and Management Sciences program, explained that he and his brother had attended his convocation ceremony earlier that day. Subsequently, they proceeded to an after-party where the tragic shooting incident occurred, resulting in his brother’s untimely death.
According to Oluwafemi, the late Damilola was serving in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State. Recounting the events, he said, “Yesterday was our convocation, and we were at a lounge (name withheld) for a convocation party around 2 am when we heard that some people were fighting outside. When we discovered that the place was getting rowdy, we stepped out only to see policemen dispersing the crowd and firing shots directly at the people.”
While Oluwafemi sustained bullet wounds, his brother fell victim to a fatal shot in the head. Damilola was pronounced dead at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and subsequently transported to the mortuary. Oluwafemi, who is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries, expressed his determination to seek justice for his innocent brother, emphasizing the need for accountability.
When questioned about his ability to identify the officers involved, Oluwafemi stated that he was certain about the role played by Saheed SARS, as he had observed him leading the team responsible for dispersing the crowd. “I saw him handling the gun; he was shooting with one hand until he shot my brother,” Oluwafemi added.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway, assuring that updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. In response to inquiries, he stated, “Investigation is ongoing. Updates would be provided accordingly, please.”
