The employer of Badmos Olatunji Monsor, a site manager allegedly killed during a violent land grab in the Agidingbi area of Lagos state, has condemned the police investigation into the death, describing it as “shoddy” and a deliberate cover-up.
Alhaji Akeem Osuolale, Chairman of Nigercat Nigeria Limited and owner of its subsidiary, WGC Construction Limited, where the deceased worked, accused the police of prioritizing a land dispute over investigating the murder.
He highlighted that the property, about 11 hectares, was officially allocated to WGC Construction Company by the Lagos State Government through two letters (LASG/LB S0000228005 dated December 18, 2024, and LASG/LB S0000222499 dated October 13, 2023).
Alhaji Osuolale explained that the land was initially rented to mechanics by the Lagos State Government before it was deemed unsuitable for such operations and subsequently allocated to his company after necessary fees were paid.
Trouble escalated approximately two weeks ago when an armed gang allegedly invaded the site, claiming to work for one Garba Owoeye, who purportedly bought the land from the late Ashamu. “I explained to them that the land was allocated to my company by the Lagos State Government and that they should go to the company or seek redress in court,” Osuolale narrated.
He believed the matter was sorted until June 17, 2025, when the group allegedly returned and attempted to attack his workers. They were accompanied by policemen from Zone 2 Police Command, who, after speaking with Osuolale, reportedly realized they had been misinformed. A meeting was then scheduled for June 19, 2025.
However, while Alhaji Osuolale was at the AIG’s office for the meeting on June 19, he received a distress call.
“These people had invaded the site again and killed my site engineer with fifteen other workers injured,” he recounted.
He claimed the armed thugs were led by IRT (Intelligence Response Team) policemen from Abuja, an Engineer Omotosho, and a lawyer.
Alhaji Osuolale expressed outrage that “all the armed thugs who were arrested in connection with the death were released immediately at Alausa Police Station and FCID Alagbon, while the colleagues of the deceased worker are languishing in detention.”
He particularly questioned why the Lagos State Commissioner of Police would direct the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration (DCA) to handle a murder case, instead of the appropriate State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti. “The CP is overwhelmed by the office he is occupying. We are talking of a murder case and your Deputy Commissioner In-charge of Administration (DCA) is mandated to be looking at land matter on the property of the Lagos State Government,” he decried.
In response to the allegations, the Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Benjamin Hundeyin, issued a statement.
He confirmed that following a thorough review of the case after listening to all parties, the Commissioner of Police directed the Area Commander, Ikeja, to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, and this has been completed.
CSP Hundeyin stated that so far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.
He added that if the complainant, Alhaji Osuolale, has any further concerns about the ongoing investigation, he is encouraged to contact the SCID directly.
The spokesperson also extended an invitation for reporters to visit the Command Headquarters to be taken to the SCID to see the suspects, noting that the Force Headquarters has halted the public parading of suspects.
Addressing the accusations against the Command, CSP Hundeyin asserted that such allegations are “baseless, as such cases are handled with utmost seriousness.”
He assured that the outcome of the investigation will be made public. Furthermore, he stated, “there is no record of IRT policemen from Abuja being involved or leading any armed invasion.”