Aliu Rafiu

2019

Okota, Lagos

A motorcycle rider, Rafiu Aliu was killed by the police in the Ago axis of Okota, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 8th 2019. He was on his way to work in the early hours of that day, when he was accosted by policemen who demanded a bribe of N100 naira.

Motorcycles had been banned from plying that road, but the police granted passage to riders who “settled” a fee of N100 naira.

Failing to part with the fee, Rafiu was beaten to death by two policemen identified as Monday and Ekene.

“They were trying to extort money from the rider after he was apprehended. Monday used the butt of his gun to hit him and he fell. Blood started flowing from his head,” an eyewitness said. “Immediately they saw that the blood did not stop, they abandoned him and ran inside their station.”

Despite testimonies by multiple eyewitnesses linking Rafiu’s death with the policemen, the Lagos State Police Command denied the involvement of its officers.

Police spokesperson in Lagos, Bala Elkana said Rafiu was involved in an accident, and not killed by policemen as reported. “The allegation is false and a complete misrepresentation of the facts,” he said.

According to the police, the motorcyclist who was riding at top speed, was involved in a fatal crash with a Toyota Camry car, along the Ago Palace Way.

“The driver of the Camry ran before the arrival of the police. Investigation into the accident is ongoing to track and apprehend the driver of the car with a view to bringing him to justice,” Elkana said.

Killer officers: Monday and Ekene of Okota Police Station, Lagos