Traders, land grabbers’ clash claims three lives in Lagos

Traders, land grabbers’ clash claims three lives in Lagos

A violent clash between traders and suspected land grabbers in the Owode Onirin area of Lagos State has left three people dead and a police officer critically injured.

The state Police Command has declared one suspect, Abiodun Ariori, the CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, wanted in connection with the deadly clash.

It was gathered that the altercation led to blockage of major roads, and disruption of commercial activities in the area.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, a combined team from the Command’s Operations Department, Police Mobile Force, Rapid Response Squad, Tactical Squads, and State CID was deployed to quell the violence.

Jimoh personally led the intervention team, restoring order and reopening the roads for public use.

“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,” Hundeyin said.

The police urged the public to assist with credible information on Ariori whereabouts.

He is believed to have gone into hiding, with his last known address in Egbeda, Lagos.

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“In the cause of preliminary investigation and prima facie evidences available, 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 has so far proved abortive. It is very clear that he has gone into hiding,” Hundeyin stated.

He also confirmed that four officers allegedly brought into Lagos by Ariori were arrested for engaging in an illegal operation.

Hundeyin disclosed that they are currently in detention and facing an orderly room trial, adding that the outcome of the trial and further investigations will be made public.

“In furtherance to ensuring justice and in compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, 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,” he said.

In a related development, normalcy has also been restored at Balogun Market on Lagos Island after a separate incident involving hoodlums.

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Hundeyin clarified that contrary to initial rumours of an ethnic clash, the incident was a personal altercation that escalated.

“One Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious. He is currently under arrest in the hospital where he is being treated.

“Investigation into the matter will be concluded and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital.

“There was no loss of innocent lives or injury to any person or damage to goods and properties of marketers inside Balogun Market,” he said.

The Command emphasised that no tribal or ethnic conflict occurred at Balogun Market, urging the public to disregard misinformation and go about their lawful activities without fear.

“The Lagos State Police Command wish to reiterate that the incident is not a tribal clash but purely between miscreants and hoodlums around the Balogun Market. Normalcy has been restored.

“Marketers and the general public on the Island and other parts of Lagos State are encouraged to go about their businesses and other lawful endeavors without fear or apprehension,” Hundeyin added.

Jimoh called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police Command to sustain existing peace in the state and not to spread fear in the mind of the public, adding that the state is generally peaceful.

Traders, land grabbers’ clash claims three lives in Lagos