How Bakare Surajudeen Olatunji Was Killed In Lagos - LASTMA Officer

When the alarm of danger sounds, it is pertinent for us not to argue on the bell or the clock that gave birth to it. We should all scamper for safety first. This is exactly what the death of Bakare Surajudeen Olatunji (Age 48, A qualified Engineer from the University of Ilorin 97/98 set) The LASTMA most senior Officer and the Zonal Head (Divisonal Head) of a Jurisdiction around Apapa (Zone 13) should teach Nigerians, particularly Lagosians. Bakare (A father of 3) may have been wickedly murdered and gone but it should be a major turning point in our collective response to jungle justice.

It is a clarion call that there is fire on the mountain. This is a warning signal; an alert beaming a raging inferno that could consume many.

A Yoruba proverb says: 'The death that is killing one's acquaintances is signalling to one proverbially (ikú t'ópa ojúgbà ęni òwe lóún pa fún ni).'.. This is not just about a LASTMA official, this is about the growing restlessness and the outrageous desire for vengeance and blood like that of vampires among many a Nigerian, mostly the young ones. If nothing is expressly done, then we will all, in Abubakar Gimba's words, be witnesses to tears.

It should be noted that any jungle justice scenario that lasts for more than 10 to 15 minutes without any police attention or appearance should be blamed on the Police institution.
It is equally worrisome that a state like Lagos where the indefatigable state Governor and the people at large through their trust funds ensure the adequate provision of equipments, gadgets and other security paraphernalia is suffering from inhumane Justice - Jungle Justice.! The police seem to have decided to allow the Status Quo without making frantic efforts at ensuring things are under control.

Apart from that, an assault on any public servant lawfully carrying out his or her duty is a big slap on the authorities. The entire Government apparatus and machinery, especially the Governor has just been ridiculed and a big slap given to LASTMA as an institution with the murder of Innocent and humble Surajudeen who was stoned to death (broad day light 15th of December). He equalled the rank of the District Police Officer (DPO) in the LASTMA hierarchy. One of the brightest officials, he was an epitome of humility and commitment. He was always ready to serve with zealous passion. Ironically, he had saved many offenders through his diplomatic clout. This was the gem we lost to jungle justice. It behooves the government to rise to this challenge and show the perpetrators that they are not bigger than the State. The recorded video showed the face of the perpetrators (Okada riders and tanker drivers) along Liverpool axis at Apapa.

I shall not speak of the external forces that were not alive to their duties and sidestep the internal ones. The LASTMA personnel that took cover or ran away without calling for reinforcement are equally guilty. That was a clear case of irresponsibility and a betrayal of espirit de corps. They should be grilled. The final note is that this happened where Naval Headquarters is not far from and OP MESA also operates in the axis. This is a clear signal that security in our society lies in a danger zone. The men of atrocious intentions have sent and keep sending messages that they are not scared. Security officials have been pushed on the chest. We wait to see them prepare, fight and eventually win the battle to restore sanity.

Online Reporter
- http://www.viviangist.com/story-video-of-how-bakare-surajudeen-olatunji-was-killed-in-lagos-lastma-office