• bereaved family calls for justice

By Evelyn Usman

Land grabbing has become a major threat to peace and security in many communities in the South West. Armed thugs, wielding guns and other dangerous weapons, invade large expanses of land, shooting sporadically to scare settlers away. This brazen display of violence has resulted in loss of lives, particularly among men, leaving widows to struggle alone in providing for their families.

Impunity emboldens land grabbers

Despite laws against land grabbing in states like Lagos and Ogun, these marauders seem to operate with impunity. Their actions raise suspicions that some may have backing from law enforcement agents, who allegedly provide protection and cover. This perceived collusion emboldens land grabbers to continue their nefarious activities, perpetuating a cycle of fear and violence.

Pang of sorrow

A recent incident occurred in Osuke community in Ogun state, last Thursday, where life was snuffed out from a father of four, identified as Saheed Shoboyede ,by a bullet from the gun of one of the thugs.

The invasion as gathered was the second in a week. Villagers expressed surprise that the gun used to fire the shot that killed Shoboyede was an AK 47 rifle .

The Ileke family, which oversees the family of the deceased, expressed disappointment at the inability of the Police in Ogun to arrest the man they alleged led the thugs that killed one of their sons. Rather, the alleged sponsor, according to the family, was roaming the streets freely, boasting that he was untouchable.

Addressing journalists in Ikeja, Lagos, the family’s lawyer, Barrister Olanrewaju Balogun, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to institute an independent investigation team to look into the matter and ensure justice prevailed.

He lamented that despite securing judgments from both the Ogun State High Court and the Court of Appeal confirming their rightful ownership of the land, the Ileke family had faced constant attacks and threats from rival factions determined to take control of the area.

Barr. Balogun alleged that : “The police in Ogun State have been compromised. We demand an independent and thorough investigation into the killing of our brother, Saheed Shoboyede, and all other violent incidents. If no action is taken, more innocent lives will be lost”

He explained that “On February 24, 2025, armed men shot and wounded Rasak Yusuf, an excavator operator working on a road construction project linking Itele and Osuke. Three days later, on February 27, another person, Saheed Shoboyede, was shot dead by the same group in broad daylight”.

. He said schools in the community were forcefully shut, as well as shops, on the day of the second invasion to avoid stray bullets hitting any of the pupils.

The lawyer said, “After shooting Shoboyede, they attempted to take his body away to prevent us from having evidence. But they did not succeed. The wounded man was rushed to the Area Command in Sango, for a police report that would enable him to receive treatment in the hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to death.

“We cannot afford to lose more lives. Osuke is becoming a war zone because of the unchecked activities of these individuals. If security agencies do not act swiftly, the violence will escalate, and more people will die”, he said.

Calls on Government

The Ileke family also called on the Ogun State Government to take up the case and ensure that those responsible for the killings and violent attacks were brought to justice. Expressing worry over the violent twist in the community, the family noted that the man at the center of the storm had allegedly committed murder before , but the case was withdrawn from court after four years, despite the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) initially advising that he had a case to answer.

“With another killing allegedly linked to him, the family lawyer said, “the authorities cannot continue to look away. If justice is not served, it will send a dangerous message that criminals can act with impunity while innocent families continue to suffer.”

Police react

Reacting to the killing, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed that “On February 27, 2025, at about 2:20 p.m., a complaint was lodged at the police station by Olusoji Jinadu, a resident of Iju Mosque Compound, Osuke Ota. He reported that earlier that day, at 8 a.m., a group of armed hoodlums, led by an individual identified as Elijah, stormed the Muslim Prayer Ground in Osuke Ota on a motorcycle. Upon arrival, the assailants opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic and endangering the lives of innocent citizens.

“Tragically, the complainant’s 24-year-old son, Saheed Shoboyede, was struck by a bullet. He was rushed to the State General Hospital, Ota, where a doctor on duty pronounced him dead. His remains have been preserved for an autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation.

“Following the report, police operatives promptly visited the crime scene, where three expended cartridges and two spent AK-47 rounds were recovered. A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down and apprehend those responsible for this heinous act. The Command extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice”.