Operatives of the X-Squad of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, have arrested four policemen and three armed forest guards for allegedly taking part in an unlawful demolition and land-grabbing operation in Orile Egun, Ijere, within the Pakuro area of Obafemi Owode Local Government, Ogun State.
A site engineer, who claimed he was contracted by a church, was also taken into custody in connection with the incident.
The arrests followed allegations that the group violated a restraining order issued by the Ogun State High Court in July 2025. The order, granted by Justice M. Dipeolu, barred any demolition, alteration, sale, or development on the disputed 76.15-acre property, identified in Survey Plan No. OG/126/2009/02 dated June 15, 2009.
Despite the court’s directive, the demolition was allegedly carried out under heavy armed security. FCID sources said preliminary findings showed the policemen were unlawfully mobilised to provide cover for the operation. One officer reportedly claimed he was on a “special visit” from Kaduna State.
A pistol and locally made firearms were recovered from the suspects, according to investigators, who added that efforts are underway to track down other fleeing members of the group.
Detectives have also widened the probe to examine the alleged role of some officials of the Ogun State Task Force on Land Grabbing. They are accused of aiding the illegal demolition despite the subsisting court order.
Police sources, who requested anonymity, said the arrests were made after a petition was submitted to the FCID alleging that the security personnel supervised an attack on the village and the destruction of uncompleted structures in defiance of the court’s injunction.
