Four Police officers set free over killing of six Traders

Four Police officers set free over killing of six Traders

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has cleared four police officers and a property developer, Abiodun Ariori, of culpability in the killing of six traders in Owode Onirin, Lagos, following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The suspects were released after the DPP concluded that the officers acted in self-defence and that available evidence was insufficient to sustain charges of manslaughter.

In the legal advice signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, the office faulted the quality of investigation, noting that key forensic evidence required to establish liability was not provided.

The incident occurred in Owode Onirin, in the Kosofe area, when the policemen identified as Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu and Ibrahim Garba were reportedly brought from Nasarawa by Ariori to enforce a disputed court order over land ownership.

During the enforcement, violence broke out, leading to the fatal shooting of six traders: Adeoye Taiwo, Akinloye Seyi, Wale Adebayo, Abraham Idowu, Dare Salaudeen and Adeoye Akeem.

Although the officers and Ariori were initially arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department before the case was transferred to Abuja, the DPP said the case file did not establish a direct link between the suspects and the deaths.

“From the available facts in the file, there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible for the death of the deceased persons.

“Therefore, this office shall not prosecute Inspr Musa Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and Abiodun Akeem Ariori for the offences of felony and involuntary manslaughter contrary to sections 411 and 224 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and any charge against them is hereby withdrawn,” Martins stated.

The DPP further explained that there was no autopsy report, ballistic analysis, or examination of the rifles issued to the officers, which are critical in proving culpability in homicide cases.

It also noted that one of the officers was injured and disarmed during the clash, while Ariori was not present at the scene.

However, the Nigeria Police Force has disagreed with the legal advice, insisting there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspects.

In a letter dated March 5, 2026, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, the police said forensic findings, including autopsy reports from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and ballistic analysis from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, established the suspects’ involvement.

According to the police, the findings showed that “all the suspects are culpable” and that the case was strong enough to proceed to trial.

Akinbisehin urged the DPP to review its position and allow prosecution, setting the stage for a potential legal dispute over the handling of the high-profile case.