There has been outrage in the Nigerian social media following the killing of Precious Owolabi, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving with Channels Television.
The 23-year-old Owolabi died of a gunshot wound he sustained while covering the clash between the police and the Shiite protesters on Monday in Abuja.
The management and staff of Channels Television has expressed sadness over the untimely and unfortunate death of the promising journalist.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a statement yesterday called on the Nigerian authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the death of Owolabi.
#Nigeria: @pressfreedom is saddened to learn that @channelstv journalist Precious Owolabi has died after being shot earlier today (July 22).
Nigerian authorities should investigate and ensure those responsible for his death are held accountable. https://t.co/VsSSRqMsug
— CPJ Africa (@CPJAfrica) July 22, 2019
Also, a Deputy Commissioner of Police with the FCT Police Command, Usman Umar was killed during the protest.
RIP DCP Umar.
I’m so pained because this is yet another needless killing. This is too painful. My heart goes out to the entire Police Force & his family. pic.twitter.com/kfAMtm53WZ— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) July 22, 2019
On the side of the protesting Shi’ites, at least 11 were reportedly shot dead.
On the side of the Shiites, 11 people now confirmed dead. Can anyone genuinely justify all these killings? When will all these stop? pic.twitter.com/jfEFVnQs8E
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) July 22, 2019
President Buhari in a tweet on Tuesday commiserated with the families of the slain reporter and policeman, describing the Shi’ites protest as violent.
I most deeply commiserate with the families of Precious Owolabi, an NYSC member with @channelstv, & Deputy Commissioner of @PoliceNG, Usman Umar, of the FCT Police Command, who died during the violent protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Abuja yesterday.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) July 23, 2019
Meanwhile, Nigerians in the social media have reacted to the sad development with an outpour of outrage. Many have blamed the Muhammadu Buhari administration for the killings. Recall that President Buhari has blatantly defied the rule of law disobeying court rulings ordering the release of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
No one deserves to die the way Precious Owolabi died today.
1. Serving a country that has failed you as its citizen
2. A reckless mistake that could have been avoided if not for the presidents high handednessBuhari killed Precious Owolabi#Shiites
Precious Owolabi
ChannelsTV— THE DIPLOMAT (@Odoh_Dextiny) July 22, 2019
The same Channel TV that has been protecting Buhari and APC, bring fake news and can’t stand for the truth as a media. I guess now they will know what best to do for Nigeria. Nonsense TV channel #ChannelTV R.I.P my brother Precious Owolabi
— Senblex (@SenatorGinika) July 22, 2019
May the soul of Precious Owolabi rest in peace. May God console his family and comfort his friends. That could have been anyone, including any of our family members or friends who work around the 3 arms zone and environs in Abuja. Such a needless death. Resolve this madness now.
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) July 22, 2019
Precious Owolabi the Youth Corper serving with channels TV who was shot has died. Another innocent young life cut short by Muhammadu Buhari. A man who thrives on the shedding of the blood of young Nigerians. We remember Bauchi 2011
Ijeoma Onyeator actually wept on live TV.
— Babasola Kuti (@RealSolaKuti) July 22, 2019
This death was avoidable.
But Buhari and Osibanjo refused to obey a court order and release El Zakzaky since 2016.
Precious Owolabi is dead because of Buhari and Osibanjo. #RIPPreciousOwolabi
— Ugonnia (@AustinYugo) July 22, 2019
THIS IS PRECIOUS OWOLABI OF CHANNELS TELEVISION!
Gone because one man, refused to obey court orders, deciding to keep a man who has been granted bails on countless times and now, both a Deputy Commissioner of Police and a Youth Corper serving his fathers land with Channels TV! pic.twitter.com/QH1ibKOCa1
— Precious Eze (@preshneze) July 22, 2019
UPDATE: Channels TV confirm death of staff, Precious Owolabi, as a result of injuries sustained from gunshot during #ShiitesProtest in Abuja.
This is what we mean when we say the actions of one man can destroy a nation. pic.twitter.com/9X194OxmOS
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) July 22, 2019
Precious Owolabi is the major reason many student-journalists are scared to go into the profession fully. There’s no security for the profession. No motivation. Just death. Cold death.
— Your Daddy (@ToyosiGodwin) July 22, 2019
Dear Precious Owolabi, I am saddened by the news of your death, I don’t know you, but as a fellow colleague, I am so sad.
Our leaders failed you. It was avoidable. You were serving your nation. You had potential, your life was cut short.
May you rest in peace. ????
— Rose Rozay Akai (@rozirozay) July 22, 2019
Precious Owolabi came to Channels TV as a Youth Corper to serve his fatherland.
He was killed today due to the wickedness and vindictiveness of a certain Buhari.
May his soul rest in peace.
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) July 22, 2019
The Channels TV Reporter, Precious Owolabi, who was hit by stray bullet while covering the Shi’ites protest, is dead. May the soul of the deceased rest in peace.
The only reaction from the Presidency will be the usual rite – sending of condolence message.
— Adelowo Oguntola (@AdelowoOguntola) July 22, 2019
__
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2019 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant source.
