Festac residents commend police over arrest of youth leader’s suspected killers

Operatives attached to the Police Intelligence Response Team have arrested four suspected killers of a politician and youth leader in the Festac area of Lagos State, Mr. Emmanuel Uba.
The arrest of the suspects, which has since been drawing commendations from the residents of the area, was led by the head of the IRT, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aba Kyari.
Our correspondent gathered from the IRT that the victim, Uba, a grassroots politician, was allegedly murdered by one Fatai Onifade, who was the alleged mastermind of the assassination.
It was gathered that Onifade, 40, of Ilaje Ondo State, had become “deeply emotionally envious” of Uba, who was fast gaining popularity among youths in the area.
“His deep-seated jealousy triggered hatred for Uba, whom he decided to eliminate,” Kyari told our correspondent in a chat.
“The suspect,” he continued, “feared the victim, whom he considered an arch-rival and opponent to his political ambitions in the area. Hence, he saw no better way to stop him other than
killing him.”
Other suspects arrested in connection with the assassination included Abidemi Kolawole, 42; Mufutau Tokosi, 31; and Michael Fashola from Ibadan, Oyo State.
It was gathered that Abidemi Kolawole, who was a friend of the victim, had earlier arranged with the assassins and later invited him for a meeting at 7th Avenue, Festac, with Tokosi and Fashola.
The Police also confirmed to our correspondent that the pistol used for allegedly killing the victim had been recovered.
Meanwhile, some residents of the area, who spoke to our correspondent, described the arrest of the four suspects as a “great relief to the community,” owing to several other crimes being recorded in the area and allegedly linked to Onifade and his gang.
They also commended the efforts of the Police on the arrest of the suspects as well as other measures being deployed to checkmate criminal activities in the state.
A resident, who identified himself as Uche, told our correspondent, “We are very happy about the development. Onifade is a notorious politician; he is a thug who goes about intimidating people.
“When Uba was killed, many of us concluded that it was Onifade that killed him. Me, personally, I don’t like his way of life; he is a deadly man and so we cannot have such a person as our leader.”
Also speaking, an automobile spare parts dealer in the area, Chuks Obiora, said, “The efforts of the police and activities in this area are really paying off. We can sleep with our two eyes closed now that that bad man (Onifade) has been arrested. Many of the criminal incidents recorded in this area are traced to him.”
A community leader, Chief Adebayo Aderibigbe, said, “This is yet another milestone achievement by the police in this area. Festac is a volatile area, where criminal activities is on the high side because of its proximity to Mile 2. When I heard about the arrest of Onifade, I was happy because he is one of the several notorious people who make this area terrible for many of us.
“When Uba was killed, we all became afraid, not only because we all looked up to him as our future representative in government, but because his death sent signals to us that, with the manner he was shot dead, nobody was free. But now that the police have stepped up their activities in this area, the community is better and safer.”
When contacted, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oladeinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
The police spokesman added that further investigation was ongoing, saying the suspects would be charged to court for
prosecution.