Former Presidential candidates, Kingsley Moghalu and Fela Durotoye have reacted to 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 night.
Moghalu reacting, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to act fast and restore peace in Nigeria, adding that the nation was on the ‘brink’.
“My condolences to the family of Precious Owolabi, the Channels Tv reporter and NYSC member shot dead today during a Shiite-police clash in Abuja.
“President Buhari should act fast to “cool temper” all around. Nigeria is on the brink! My condolences too to DCP Umar’s family,” Moghalu wrote.
Also, Durotoye, who took to his Twitter page, urged Buhari’s government to engage in dialogue with Shiite members in order to provide safety to Nigerians.
He wrote: “I’m deeply saddened by the loss of life due to the #Shiites protest in Abuja. Innocent Nigerians are becoming collateral damage
“Nothing is greater than the safety and security of the Nigerian people. Can we just dialogue?”
DAILY POST reports that 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.
The officer, who was immediately rushed to the hospital, died moments later while receiving treatment.
However, 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.