By Emiola Osifeso
Four policemen are currently under disciplinary trial after abandoning their official duty post and embarking on an unauthorised assignment in Lagos State that turned deadly. The incident, which claimed three lives at Owode Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market along Ikorodu Road, has also led to the Lagos State Police Command declaring controversial businessman, Engineer Akeem Ariori, wanted.
According to a police wireless message exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters and also reviewed by Spear News, the officers involved are Inspector Ahmed (Number 293995), Corporals Ibrahim Garba (Number 523604) and Ibrahim Kashim (Number 523774), and Inspector Jubrin. The memo stated that the men, who were attached to Golden Ventures Ltd., Egbeda, Lagos, left their duty post without authorisation.
The police document noted that they went on an illegal assignment in the company of Ariori, a businessman widely linked to land-grabbing activities.
The memo explained: the policemen “left their duty post without the knowledge of the squadron to Ajegunle in company of the company CEO, Engineer Akeem Ariori where they were attacked by some hoodlums.”
A shootout followed, during which Inspector Jubrin sustained severe chest injuries. Their operational vehicle was also damaged. Three people were confirmed dead at the scene.
“The armed men opened fire, leading to the death of three persons among the attackers,” the police memo stated.
Eyewitness Account
Before official confirmation, an earlier report stated that the four policemen, allegedly working under Ariori’s orders, shot and killed three people during a violent clash with traders at Owode Market.
“These are the handiwork of trigger-happy police officers working for a land grabber at Owode Motor Spare Parts market, Ikorodu road today,” an eyewitness confirmed, while also sharing videos and photos of some of the victims.
“The IGP warned that no policeman must be involved in land matters, but some police officers turned a deaf ear,” the eyewitness added.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said Ariori, identified as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, directly led the attack on traders in the market.
“Consequent on the disturbance of public peace, law and order, blocking of highways and roads leading in and out of Owode Onirin Market as a result of the deadly clash between traders and land grabbers, the Commissioner, of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a combined team of Police detachment comprising personnel of the Command’s operations department, the Police Mobile Force, Rapid Response Squad, Tactical squads and Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to the affected area and normalcy was restored,” Hundeyin said.
He added: “During the clash between the traders and the land grabbers, three persons sustained fatal injuries and a Police Inspector was seriously injured. The three fatally injured persons were confirmed dead when they were rushed to the hospital by the Police, while the Police Inspector injured is in a critical and life-threatening condition at the hospital where he is receiving treatment.”
The Lagos police spokesperson further revealed that preliminary investigation has linked Ariori to the violence.
“One Abiodun Ariori, CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, is connected to the deadly clash between the traders and the land grabbers. He is hereby declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command as all efforts to effect his arrest and bring him to justice have so far proved abortive. It is very clear that he has gone into hiding,” Hundeyin said.
According to the statement, Ariori’s last known address is in Egbeda, Lagos, and he has been described as “dark in complexion.” The police appealed to the public: “If seen, he should be arrested and handed over to the nearest police station or call the Lagos State Police Command control room.”
Hundeyin also disclosed that four policemen linked to the case had already been detained at the Command headquarters for orderly room trial.
He said: “Four policemen, brought in from outside Lagos State by the wanted suspected land grabber, were immediately identified and detained at the Command headquarters for orderly room trial for going on illegal duty with the wanted suspect. The outcome of the investigation into the case and the trial of the policemen will be made public.”
The development has once again drawn attention to the rising problem of land-grabbing in Lagos and the alleged involvement of security personnel in such disputes despite repeated directives from police authorities that officers must stay clear of land matters.
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