OWODE ONIRIN TRADERS PROTEST OVER KILLING OF SEVEN PERSONS
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BY MUNIRAT BALOGUN
Traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market have urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to establish an autonomous investigative panel to examine the killings that occurred on August 27, 2025, resulting in the loss of seven lives.
It is noteworthy that earlier this year, more than 500 retail establishments were razed at the market by a notorious land speculator (names withheld), who unleashed armed thugs, allegedly with the assistance of law enforcement officials, to intimidate and forcibly displace legitimate vendors.
The traders expressed their grievance during a protest collaboratively organized by the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR), advocating for the summons of law enforcement personnel, the land speculator, as well as officials from the Ministry of Justice.
Additionally, they demanded that Attorney General Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, be called in for interrogation regarding his public misrepresentation of the facts; they also sought compensation and assistance for the families of the deceased and the survivors of the tragic incident.
They appealed to the Inspector General of Police to re-arrest the released officers and the land speculator for prosecution in Lagos State, where the offense transpired.
Their exhortation was: “Enact legislation against land grabbing and police complicity, ensuring more stringent penalties for both individuals and state actors who facilitate such crimes. ”
The victims include Mr. Seyi Akinboye, 39; Adeoye Taiwo, 29; Dare Mufutau, 32; Aderemi Hakeem, 27; Abraham Temilola, 33; and Wale Adebayo, 29 years old.
During the proceedings, Comr. Alex Omotehinse, President of CHSR, elaborated that despite ongoing court actions and petitions, the market experienced an unprecedented and brutal assault when four policemen from Nasarawa State, as claimed by the Lagos State Police Command, allegedly engaged and transported to Lagos by the land speculator, stormed the market armed and indiscriminately fired upon the traders.
Omotehinse remarked: “By the conclusion of that dark Wednesday, six traders were deceased, numerous others were severely injured, and approximately 50 vehicles along with countless goods were devastated.
“The actions of the Nigeria Police Force in this situation have been disgraceful. Instead of facing prosecution in Lagos following the killings, the officers were covertly transferred to Abuja, subjected to a dubious ‘orderly room trial,’ and released under the pretense of self-defense.
“The Owode-Onirin massacre embodies a national disgrace and a moral failure in governance within Lagos State; it is a catastrophe that could have been averted had the House of Assembly heeded CHSR’s petitions. “
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