Three traders were killed and a police inspector critically injured after armed officers allegedly hired by landgrabber Abiodun Ariori attacked Lagos’ Owode Market, prompting police to declare him wanted.
Three people were killed and a police inspector critically injured on Wednesday after four police officers allegedly working for landgrabber Abiodun Ariori opened fire on traders at the Owode Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, Lagos State.
Eyewitnesses accused the officers of acting illegally on behalf of Ariori. “These are the handiwork of trigger-happy police officers working for a land grabber at Owode Motor Spare Parts market,” one source said.
Police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the violence, identifying Ariori, CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, as the mastermind. “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,” Hundeyin said.
The Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, led a joint security operation to restore order. Hundeyin added that the four officers brought from outside Lagos were arrested and face trial for engaging in illegal duty.