Police launch manhunt for Lagos businessman over land clash that left 3 dead

The Lagos State Police Command has declared Abiodun Ariori, the Chief Executive Officer of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, wanted in connection with a violent land dispute that left three people dead in Lagos.

The clash, which erupted on Wednesday in the Owode Onirin area, turned bloody when rival groups allegedly engaged in a fierce confrontation over ownership of a disputed piece of land. In the process, three lives were lost, while a police officer sustained serious injuries.

Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the development in a statement, noting that investigations are ongoing and efforts are in top gear to apprehend Ariori and others linked to the violence.

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“In the course of the preliminary investigation and prima facie evidence available, one Abiodun Ariori, CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, is connected to the deadly clash between the traders and the land grabbers.

“He is hereby declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command, as all efforts to effect his arrest and bring him to justice have so far proved abortive. It is very clear that he has gone into hiding,” Hundeyin stated.

He added that Ariori’s photograph and last known address in Egbeda had been circulated, urging the public to provide useful information.

“If seen, he should be arrested and handed over to the nearest police station, or call the Lagos State Police Command control room.

Wherever he is, he should turn himself in at the nearest police station,” Hundeyin added.

Graphic videos of the incident, which went viral on social media, showed at least three victims with fatal injuries.

One was seen being placed on a wheelbarrow with a deep cut to his left eye, while another appeared lifeless in a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the stomach.

According to Hundeyin, normalcy has since been restored to the affected community after the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a combined security team to the scene.

“The Lagos State Police Command swiftly responded to the recent unrest in the Owode Onirin area of Lagos State and restored normalcy, peace, law and order to the affected area.

“The roads were reopened to traffic, and people started going about their lawful businesses. To sustain the normalcy, the Commissioner of Police has retained the deployment of adequate police personnel to prevent the resurgence of the crisis.”

“During the clash between the traders and the land grabbers, three persons sustained fatal injuries, and a police inspector was seriously injured.

“The three fatally injured persons were confirmed dead when they were rushed to the hospital by the police, while the police inspector is in a critical and life-threatening condition at the hospital where he is receiving treatment,” Hundeyin said.

He further revealed that four policemen who allegedly accompanied Ariori from outside Lagos were immediately detained.

“In furtherance of ensuring justice and in compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, four policemen, brought in from outside the state by the wanted suspected land grabber, were immediately identified and detained at the Command headquarters for orderly room trial for going on illegal duty with the wanted suspect.

“The outcome of the investigation into the case and the trial of the policemen will be made public,” the statement added.

Hundeyin also clarified that, contrary to viral claims, the incident was not a tribal clash but a fight between hoodlums.

“The Lagos State Police Command hereby wishes to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between ethnic groups in Balogun Market today.

“There was an incident of a free-for-all fight between some hoodlums and miscreants. Normalcy has been restored.

“Marketers and the general public are encouraged to go about their businesses without fear or apprehension,” he stressed.

Hundeyin quoted the police boss in the state as urging the residents to remain law-abiding and avoid spreading panic.

“Lagos is generally peaceful. We call on all residents to cooperate with the Command in sustaining existing peace in the state,” the statement concluded.

A similar incident occurred when a violent clash resulted in the death of five persons in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State over a land-related matter in 2021.