President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has come under attack over the death of Precious Owolabi, the Channels TV reporter, shot during the clash between the police and Shiite protesters in Abuja on Monday.
The management and staff of the television station confirmed Owolabi’s death on Monday, July 22, 2019.
Owolabi was the second death to be formally announced in connection with clash between Shiite protesters and the police.
The police earlier said they lost a deputy commissioner, Usman Umar, who was in charge of Operations, FCT Command.
However, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria claimed that no fewer than six of its members were killed during the bloody protest over the continued detention of its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
The Shiites had last week claimed that its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was on the verge of going blind and may also lose his life if not allowed to go for medical treatment.
IMN raised the alarm after the Kaduna State High Court on Thursday, ordered that the Islamic cleric should remain in detention.
Reacting, some Nigerians blamed Buhari and Osinbajo for Owolabi’s death, adding that she would have been alive if the president had obeyed court order to release Shiite leader, El-Zakzaky.
Here are some reactions gathered from Twitter:
A young journalist on his first job killed by a stray bullet in the stomach – while covering a small protest in Nigeria's capital. Precious Owolabi could have been any of us. Whoever shot that bullet has to be held responsible. This announcement by his colleagues is too sad. https://t.co/UR5Q8WK2qe
— Stephanie Hegarty (@stephhegarty) July 23, 2019
We lost a corps member Precious Owolabi serving with Channels TV, DCP Umar and some protesting IMN members. These killings are avoidable. Government must rethink its rules of engagement, it is quite clear the current model isn’t working. These lives were wasted.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) July 23, 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.
— Ogbeni Dipo (@OgbeniDipo) July 22, 2019
Precious Owolabi.
The lives of ordinary Nigerians mean nothing to those in power.
— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) July 23, 2019
One of the hardest part of this job is having to report the daily loss of life in #Nigeria especially.
Was really hard writing/posting stories of today's #Shiites protest.
Just getting home to now hear of Precious Owolabi. Sad, really.
— Ufuoma Egbamuno (@Foskolo) July 22, 2019
Thinking of Precious Owolabi while humming the lines of the NYSC anthem in my head:
"Youths obey the clarion call
Let us lift our nation high
Under the sun or in the rain
With dedication and selflessness…"Does Nigeria deserve such dedication as demanded in the lines above? pic.twitter.com/8vnmVgiJWd
— Royalty👑 (@royaltyuso) July 23, 2019
So I am seeing in some posts that the picture of a guy in corpers uniform is not precious Owolabi (i.e pic 1) pic 2&3 is him
May the Lord comfort the families and loved ones of Precious Owolabi and DCP (Head of Operation in FCT) Usman Umar. It is indeed a sad one
Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/HJS0XAyUV1
— Kate-Nnaji (@nnaji_kate) July 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/_iamquadri/status/1153600268803760128
Report says:Cross fire between the police and the protesters.
It's still not confirmed whether it's the police bullet or the protesters that hit precious owolabi.
Some Unfortunate people action keep leading the future of Nigeria to their early grave.
RIP #precious
God 🙏— Demola (@Ademola_Host) July 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/OnifotoToma/status/1153479692311306241
https://twitter.com/Odoh_Dextiny/status/1153440281271967744
