Public outrage is mounting after three policemen accused of killing seven traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market in Lagos were reportedly released without trial.
Findings by Hobnob News reveal that the officers, attached to the Nasarawa State Police Command, were freed following an internal police review in Abuja that cited “self-defence.”
Sources disclosed that the officers had been brought from Nasarawa to Lagos by a suspected land grabber, Abiodun Ariori, who allegedly led the fatal operation on August 30, 2025, during which about 50 vehicles were destroyed.
Instead of facing trial in Lagos where the killings occurred, the officers were transferred to Abuja, where they were cleared by the police provost.
A senior police source alleged that “the officers were released after the provost ruled the incident as self-defence,” claiming the Nasarawa Police Commissioner and the provost were close associates — a claim yet to be independently verified.
Meanwhile, Ariori, the alleged mastermind, has also regained freedom after securing bail through a High Court order, which police reportedly failed to contest.
Families Cry Foul Over Injustice and Extortion
Grieving families say justice has been denied, accusing authorities of neglect and exploitation.
They lamented being asked to pay exorbitant fees for postmortems before the bodies of their loved ones could be released.
“We were told there are about 600 bodies in the morgue and that payment will speed up the process,” said Moruf Olayemi, uncle to one of the victims, Akinboye Oluwaseyi, who left behind three children aged seven, five, and two. “But the land grabber who caused all this has been released. This country is only fair to the rich.”
Another mourner, Owolabi Ganiu, employer to victim Wale Adebayo, accused the police of “monetising postmortems,” while condemning the silence of the Lagos State Government.
“No condolence visit, no statement — nothing,” Ganiu said. “This is about human lives. President Bola Tinubu should intervene.”
Abiodun Temilola, whose son Abraham was among the dead, pleaded for the release of his son’s remains, saying the family could not afford the “huge” amounts being demanded.
Market Leadership Urges Calm
The Chairman of the Owode-Onirin Market, Abiodun Ahmed, urged bereaved families to remain patient, assuring them that the government would handle the autopsies.
“We were told that some funds could help speed up the process, but it’s not like the police are demanding money from us,” he clarified, adding that police have since deployed officers to the market to prevent further violence.
Ahmed also confirmed that Ariori was granted bail on medical grounds after filing suits against the police and the market association.
Legal Action Looms
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) condemned the development, warning that his chambers would take up the case if the police failed to prosecute.
“If the police are unwilling to prosecute, we will,” Falana said. “The crime occurred in Lagos, so there was no justification for moving the case to Abuja. If they claim self-defence, let them prove it in court.”
Although police authorities have remained silent, Hobnob News gathered that the Inspector General of Police has ordered a review of the case, while Lagos State Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh is reportedly keen on ensuring justice.
