Lagos community boils as gunmen kill resident

Agbede’s corpse in a police van

 

Olaleye Aluko

There is anger in Oreyo community in the Igbogbo, Ikorodu area of Lagos State after some gunmen ambushed and shot dead a father of three, identified as Saheed Agbede, a week to the burial of his mother.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Agbede, who lived on Gbenga Ajadi Street, was killed on Saturday at about 1pm in the neighbouring Ire-Agunfoye area during a clash among land speculators.

It was gathered that Agbede, who sold building materials, was preparing for his mother’s burial which was to hold this week’s Saturday, before he was caught in the crossfire.

Our correspondent learnt that the deceased and a friend, identified only as Gbenga, had on Saturday left home to deliver some cloths to be used for the burial to their friends in the Agunfoye area.

It was gathered that the speculators were exchanging gunshots when bullets hit the two at about 1.30pm.

The police said Agbede died instantly, while Gbenga sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital.

Our correspondent learnt that the matter was reported at the Ikorodu Police Division, and policemen came to remove Agbede’s corpse. The policemen were also said to have made some arrests.

A neighbour to Agbede, who begged to speak anonymously, said residents were angry because the hoodlums, who killed Agbede, were invited by a man allegedly known by the police.

The neighbour claimed that the man who brought the hoodlums, identified only as Baba Oloda, was well known to the police at Igbogbo.

He said, “Agbede was a landlord on Gbenga Ajadi Street. He was not involved in the clash. His mother died recently and her burial is to hold on Saturday. The deceased, who also had three children, was planning for the ceremony. He had bought the cow, foodstuffs and cloths. He and his friend, Gbenga, also a landlord, had gone to Agunfoye to deliver some of the cloths to their friends.

“It was while they were returning that bullets hit them. Agbede died, but Gbenga is in the hospital as we speak. Everyone is angry because Agbede was innocent. There was no reason for Baba Oloda’s hoodlums to direct their guns at them. We will not allow this to die down. Baba Oloda is known to the police in Igbogbo.”

 Another resident of Oreyo, who gave his name as Segun Ake, said, “The hoodlums were fighting over land. There were two factions of land speculators in Agunfoye, but Agbede belonged to neither of the factions. He and the other friend were just caught in the hoodlums’ crossfire.

“The incident happened in the afternoon. What would then happen if it was in the evening? People are boiling and calling for more security in the area.

“Agbede is the breadwinner of his family. He had made all the provisions for his mother’s burial on Saturday. The hoodlums just cut short his life. He is still in a morgue. The police have not released his body for burial.”

Our correspondent gathered that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed Agbede’s death, adding that the case would be transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, for further investigation.

She said, “Saheed (Agbede) died on the spot, while Gbenga sustained injuries. Four suspects –Taofik Omidiran, Kolawole Ogunlade, Ahmed Onabanjo and Alade Mabel – were arrested in connection with the crime. Effort is ongoing to transfer the case to SARS for further investigation.”