The Nigerian Union South Africa would like to use this medium to call for calm and allow due process to be followed in the murder case of Ibrahim Olamilekan Badmus, allegedly brutally murdered by the members of the South Africa Police Services (SAPS).
The officials of Nigeria Union South Africa led by the President Hon. Olubajo Adetola visited the scene of the purported killing of a Nigerian national, late Ibrahim Badmus ( 25 ) by South Africa Police Service officials at his residence in Vanderbijl Park, Gauteng.
According to eye witnesses who was also brutally tortured, it was gathered that the officials of SAPS unofficially stormed the residence on 70 Defrost Street without a legal search warrant, the eye witness confirmed that the police officials gained entrance forcefully into the building.
It was reported that the police officials harassed residents who are also foreign nationals but luck ran out on the deceased when he was
accosted, tortured, battered and choked to his untimely death with plastic bag.
Immediately the police confirmed that Ibrahim has gave up the ghost, they quickly released the handcuffs on the other residents. This enable one of the victim, a Nigerian National, to place a call to other Nigerians. On getting the report of Ibrahim’s death, our brothers stormed the residence in their large number and attacked the Police officers that allegedly tortured and killed Ibrahim. His body has since been deposited at the morgue after the intervention of Vanderbaijl Station Commandar and Consul General of Nigeria.
The NUSA President together with the Legal Secretary, Barr. Omoreige Ogboro, National Welfare Officers and Ass. Publicity Secretary engaged with the top officials of SAPS in Vanderbaijl Park and the case number of the murder was made available to us. The Independent Police Investigations Department ( IPID ) have since swung into action and testimonies of eye witness have been taken.
The President quickly called for a meeting with the Nigerian community, which was well attended and they were briefed on the stand of NUSA on this case, he urged the Nigerian community to embrace peace and harmony, and to abide by the rule of law while strongly condemned the attack on Police. The President assured them that justice will be served to deter other future occurrences.
Reports reaching us at the early hour of today around 00:23 was that battalion of soliders and Police officers stormed Vanderbaijl community and physically assult Nigerians. They were looking for the eye witnesses. The eye witnesses were seriously injured allegedly by the Police and Soilders (Special Unit) who came to the area at early hour of today. We have advised Nigerians in Vaal to stay calm and get treatment from the hosipal. The IPID has been informed of this development.
We call on Nigerians to exercise restraints and allow the law to take it course not minding the wrong media reports as well as unguided statement of few instigators. Nigerian Union South Africa shall engage the Police Minister in order put the record straight because we believe he has been misinformed on this issue.
