Four people lost their lives on Wednesday following violent clashes in Owode Onirin and Balogun Market in Lagos, prompting swift intervention by the Lagos State Police Command to restore law and order.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed in a statement that three persons died during a deadly clash between traders and land grabbers in Owode Onirin, while a Police Inspector sustained severe injuries and is currently on the danger list at a hospital.
According to Hundeyin, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a combined team of operatives — including the Police Mobile Force, Rapid Response Squad, and detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department — to disperse the warring groups and restore normalcy.
“The Command has declared one Abiodun Ariori, CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, wanted in connection with the killings,” he said, urging the public to provide useful information about his whereabouts.
Hundeyin disclosed that Ariori allegedly hired four policemen from outside Lagos to aid him in the dispute.
The officers have been detained at the Command headquarters for orderly room trial. “The outcome of their investigation and trial will be made public,” he added.
On the same day, violence erupted at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, where a fight between hoodlums turned deadly. One Ebuka Adindu from Abia State fatally stabbed Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State and later inflicted injuries on himself.
He is under arrest and receiving treatment in the hospital pending prosecution.Hundeyin stressed that the Balogun Market violence was not a tribal clash, contrary to speculation, but a fight between hoodlums.
“Normalcy has been restored, and we encourage traders and residents to go about their businesses without fear,” he assured.
The Commissioner of Police appealed to Lagosians to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies to sustain peace across the state.
