Three policemen accused of killing seven traders at Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market in Lagos State have been released, Saturday PUNCH has learned. The suspected land grabber allegedly involved in the incident was also granted bail.
Families of the deceased have criticized the authorities, alleging that they were asked to pay substantial sums to conduct postmortems before the bodies of their loved ones could be released.
The incident occurred on August 30, 2025, when a suspected land grabber reportedly led policemen from the Nasarawa State Police Command to carry out attacks at the market. Around 50 vehicles were reportedly destroyed during the violence.
Sources indicate that the three policemen were transferred to Abuja instead of facing trial in Lagos, where the incident took place. “The policemen were brought from Nasarawa to Lagos by the suspected land grabber. After the killings, they were taken to Abuja for an orderly room trial. The Provost freed them on claims of self-defense,” a source said.
It was alleged that the decision may have been influenced by a personal relationship between the Provost and the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police, although this could not be independently confirmed. The alleged mastermind, identified as Abiodun Ariori, was also released after filing a successful bail application.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana condemned the development, stating that his chamber is prepared to prosecute the suspects. “If the police are not willing to prosecute, we will. The offence was committed in Lagos, so there was no basis for the case to be transferred to Abuja. If they are claiming self-defense, they should present it in court,” he said.
Families of the victims accused authorities of injustice and neglect. Moruf Olayemi, uncle to one of the deceased, Akinboye Oluwaseyi, criticized the demand for payment to conduct postmortems. “Meanwhile, the land grabber has been freed. It shows there is no justice in Nigeria. The poor are always on the receiving end. Oluwaseyi left behind three children,” he said.
Owolabi Ganiu, employer of another victim, Wale Adebayo, accused the police of monetizing postmortems and lamented the lack of intervention from state and local governments. Another bereaved father, Abiodun Temilola, described the process as unfair, emphasizing the financial burden on families.
