Owode Onirin police shooting: Death toll rises to six

Six traders have died in the Owode Onirin police shooting, sparking outrage as families demand justice and rights groups fault Lagos government

Four Mobile Policemen, reportedly led by Abiodun Hakeem Ariori, allegedly stormed the Owode Onírin Spare Parts Market and opened fire, killing four traders instantly. Two others, who were critically injured, later died in hospital.

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The victims have been identified as Seyi Akinboye, Adeoye Taiwo, Dare Mufutau, Abraham Temilola, Wale Adebayo, and Aderemi Adeoye, who succumbed to injuries on September 1 after surgery and days on life support.

Lagos police confirmed the arrest of the four officers involved, while declaring Ariori wanted. He later surrendered himself to the command.

At a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) joined grieving families to recount harrowing details of the killings.

Adeoye’s mother, weeping, described the pain of losing her first son, who left behind a young wife and a baby less than seven months old.

“I laboured over him for years. They took him away from me. How do I care for his wife and child now?” she said.

The family of another victim, Temilola, said he died in transit after doctors at Ikorodu General Hospital failed to extract a bullet.

“Idowu had two wives and three children. He was shot inside his shop. Innocent lives should not be wasted like this,” a relative said.

For the Akinboye family, the tragedy remains raw. His elder brother recalled: “He was shot in the thigh and bled to death.

Our mother is 80 years old; I lied to her that he travelled abroad. He left behind three children. What we want is justice.”

CHSR President, Alex Omotehinse, condemned the Lagos State Government for ignoring months of petitions and protests by traders. He alleged collusion between officials and land grabbers using fronts like Ariori.

“Public office holders use thugs to seize land and enrich themselves while poor families lose their shops and livelihoods. This is governance turned into a business,” Omotehinse said.

He demanded that police disclose the names and ranks of the four officers involved and ensure their prosecution.

He also called for compensation for victims’ families and urged the Federal Government to take over the case, citing distrust in Lagos authorities.

The killings have drawn parallels with the unresolved case of Fatai Jubril, Baale of Lotu Town in Ibeju-Lekki, who was shot dead in July 2023 by a mobile policeman during a land dispute.