Sixteen years following his father's removal from the police force due to an alleged homicide, Semasa Ojo shares with AYOOLA OLASUPO details of the event, its profound consequences, and his family's plea for officials to reconsider the case.
What was your connection with the late Mr. Samuel Semasa?
I am Semasa Ojo, the second offspring and eldest son of the late Sergeant Samuel Ojo.
Could you revisit the event that resulted in his termination from the Nigerian Police Force?
I wasn’t merely informed about the event that occurred to my father. I was aware of what took place at that time because I also talked to the eyewitness, who described exactly what happened to the civilian shot by a criminal.
In that year, during the holiday season on December 28, 2009, a police officer named Corporal Posu was attacked and hurt by criminals. As a result, the matter was brought to my father's station located in Morogbo, Badagry. The head of the police division at the station subsequently summoned four additional officers along with my father to arrest the offenders.
The holiday season had arrived, and individuals were launching fireworks, an activity that was more prevalent back then compared to today. Therefore, upon their arrival, all the people ran away, yet my father heard a noise and a strong scream from behind him.
A gang member fired at him, yet the shot went wide and struck a passerby standing behind him. He witnessed the man drenched in blood, and just as he turned back, the criminal attempted to shoot him once more, prompting him to retaliate with his own rifle.
What happened thereafter?
As I said earlier, they were there to arrest the thugs in the morning, so the other four policemen chased some of the thugs towards Ibiye town. But my dad manned their vehicle at the bus stop. The thugs had already scattered, but one of them came back and aimed at my dad.
This is why my father had to fire a shot from his gun. As soon as the remaining four officers heard the gunfire, they quickly rushed back to the van, got inside, and headed back to their base before things became worse.
A civilian who had been wounded in the leg was transported to a hospital near the Ijanikin neighborhood for treatment. The perpetrator later passed away, following which the DPO obtained my father's records, filed a murder charge against him, and transferred him to Panti (the State Criminal Investigation Department located in Yaba). He was promptly detained and taken to Panti.
What happened at Panti?
Upon arriving, the injured civilian was brought in for questioning. He went there and confirmed that the gang members had fired at him, with the bullet striking his leg. He also mentioned that the thug attempted to shoot again when my father reacted.
The bullet extracted from the leg indicated it came from the gangster rather than the officer, which was verified at that time. The cop who had been assaulted was also brought there, and he stated that the criminals attacked him in the morning while trying to collect money from a bus driver.
He mentioned there were "staff" present, who then assaulted him. Following this, the case was sent to the Department of Public Prosecutions at Alausa for legal guidance, yet my father was instructed not to return to work, his pay was halted, and no further action has been taken on the case so far.
At what age were you when your dad got taken into custody?
I was 13 at that time, and I am 30 now.
In which year did your father leave Panti?
He left Panti in June 2010 and was instructed not to return to work. While he was at Panti, he hired a lawyer, and I believe they spent more than N200,000 to get him released. Despite him being innocent, they still covered the cost of his bail.
My father occasionally contacted the attorney over time until he misplaced his phone along with the SIM card storing the lawyer's number. This made it impossible for him to get back in touch with the attorney, and subsequently, the entire case went quiet.
However, I intended to continue pushing forward and see it through. This is why, in 2019, I visited Panti along with my mother and later went to the DPP office in Alausa to inquire about the case. Someone connected me with a senior official there, who provided me access to their files.
They examined all details carefully and did not come across any homicide involving my father's name. The sole incident linked to Samuel Ojo's name was an armed robbery case along with other individuals whose identities were unknown.
He faced accusations related to a murder incident at the police station, yet the document we reviewed at the DPP referred to an armed robbery case. They conducted thorough searches across all systems, records, and paperwork, but were unable to locate any murder case involving my father's name.
Did that cause any doubts for you and your relatives?
Yes, because initially my dad served for 16 years at the police headquarters in Obalende. When we moved to Badagry, the distance from Badagry to the Island was too much, and he was going through a lot.
Therefore, he was moved to the closest station due to pressure. However, he remained there for just two years prior to the event occurring. It was clear that he had been set up.
Had your father ever talked to you prior to the event regarding certain difficulties he encountered during his time in duty?
He offered me guidance, which remains etched in my memory. He consistently emphasized that if I found myself in a place where individuals were gathering or exchanging things they hadn't earned, I should avoid focusing on them. I needed to constantly stand up for what I had genuinely worked for.
Just prior to that, he wished to become part of the police provost unit. Police provosts are responsible for arresting any police officer who violates rules or engages in unlawful behavior within the department. Indeed, the photograph I possess of him was captured when he was wearing that uniform.
Certain individuals warned him that joining would probably make him an adversary of numerous law enforcement officers, as they might focus on him. Therefore, he withdrew and remained within the standard police department. He nearly became part of the police military branch due to his disapproval of improper conduct and actions by the police.
Any news about the case after 2019?
I have not received any updates. We contacted the Lagos State Commissioner of Police in both 2020 and 2021, and he instructed us to send our correspondence to the Inspector-General of Police based in Abuja. We sent two letters but did not receive any reply.
In 2023, we contacted the Police Service Commission based in Abuja, and they stated that they would address the matter, yet no action has taken place.
Did they file charges following his detention?
He did not face trial. He was merely taken into custody and removed from his position, with no further actions occurring.
How did your family find out that he was considered a suspect?
Between December 2009 and June 2010, my mother brought my sibling and me to visit our father at the jail. He was considered a person of interest and remained there for six months and one day.
Was the experience impactful in any manner on his life?
My father was an extremely dedicated individual. He worked as both a police officer and a farmer, cultivating yams and corn, which he then sold. After the event occurred, and he came back home, he developed a fear of living. Later, as we matured, we understood that he had been dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and began fearing various aspects of life.
Being responsible for the family, how did his unexpected decrease in earnings impact them?
My mother was forced to take action and begin selling fish, while we managed through small-scale trade. I took on manual work to help provide for the family.
What indicators did you observe that suggested he suffered from PTSD prior to his passing?
Earlier, I noted that his interests included agriculture, law enforcement, and automotive painting. Following everything he endured, the shame proved overwhelming, leaving him fearful of venturing outside as usual. We suggested he operate a three-wheeler, yet he lacked the courage to take even that step.
The only option he had was to remain at home. Eventually, he was diagnosed with dementia in 2021. By the time I finished school, he already suffered from the condition, which presented yet another difficulty. ntirely.
Could you walk us through the time when he started showing signs of dementia?
I dropped out of school in February 2021. By August, he became ill for several days, forcing me to go back home. He was unable to eat or use the bathroom independently. He could not perform any tasks and didn't recognize his relatives. I remained by his side for more than three years, providing him with care.
Was he suffering from dementia right up until his last moments?
Yes, he never fully recovered. He was improving, but we couldn’t afford the drugs anymore. His health worsened because we lacked money for medication. I reached out to some people in the force, telling them he would die.
In 2023, I had a conversation with Muyiwa Adejobi, who previously served as a Force PRO, on X. He responded, and I thought the force would take action, but nothing occurred. Not even after my father’s death did the police provide any reply. He passed away at the age of 69 on July 27, 2025, and was buried right away.
I approached Muyiwa Adejobi and explained my father's situation, asking him to investigate the matter as we required funds to support him.
He mentioned Benjamin Hundeyin in the post and requested his involvement with the case. I made great efforts to get in touch with Hundeyin. Upon meeting him and detailing the situation, he informed me that mistakes occur within the police department and assured me he would assist us in resolving it.
He subsequently suggested we contact the Police Service Commission in Abuja, mentioning that he had an associate there who could assist us. We composed the letter and forwarded it along with a confirmation copy to him.
He mentioned that the Police Service Commission committee was disbanded that same year and that they would examine the matter once the President formed a new committee.
By late 2024, he informed me that the committee had been formed and that there were positive expectations. I continued to follow up and chose not to raise the matter further because he was already providing assistance.
I reached out to him in March 2025, and he told me that my dad’s file was missing, and that they found it when he pressured them. He told me there was hope. Sadly, my dad died in July. I texted him that my dad had died and he said the Police Force failed him. He later said he’d try his best to resolve the case. But he no longer pick my calls nor replies to my chats.
What does justice signify for the family?
Justice would involve reviewing his case again and ensuring that all his rights—including gratuity, salary, pension benefits, and anything else he was entitled to—is compensated.
They ought to reimburse us and provide compensation for the suffering he and his family went through. I finished the NYSC program last month, and I am now without a job, so we urge relevant parties and important organizations to reconsider his case and conduct a thorough investigation.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
0 Komentar