Shock, Outrage as Nasarawa Cops Freed After Killing Seven Lagos Traders

Three policemen accused of killing seven traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market in Lagos State have been released, Saturday PUNCH reports. The suspected land grabber linked to the incident has also been granted bail.

Families of the victims claim they are being asked to pay exorbitant fees for postmortems before the bodies of their loved ones can be released.

The incident occurred on August 30, 2025, when a suspected land grabber allegedly led officers from the Nasarawa State Police Command to attack traders at the market, destroying approximately 50 vehicles.

Sources revealed the three policemen were taken to Abuja for an orderly room trial rather than facing justice in Lagos. “The policemen were brought from Nasarawa by the suspected land grabber. After the killings, they were taken to Abuja for an orderly room trial. But the Provost freed them on claims of self-defense,” a source said.

Allegations suggest that the Provost and the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police are friends, influencing the decision to release the officers—though this could not be independently verified. The alleged mastermind, Abiodun Ariori, was also released after filing a bail application at the Lagos High Court, which the police did not contest.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana condemned the development, vowing to prosecute if the police fail to act. “The offence was committed in Lagos, so there was no basis to transfer the case to Abuja. If they claim self-defense, it should be addressed in court,” he said.

Victims’ families expressed outrage at what they described as injustice and exploitation. Moruf Olayemi, uncle to Akinboye Oluwaseyi, one of the deceased, said, “We were told there are about 600 bodies in the morgue, and we have to pay to speed up postmortems. Meanwhile, the land grabber has been freed. It shows there is no justice for the poor.”

Employers and relatives of other victims echoed the concern. Owolabi Ganiu, who employed Wale Adebayo, said, “Not even a condolence visit has come from the government. Adebayo left behind a three-year-old child, and his family is suffering.”

The Chairman of the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, Abiodun Ahmed, urged patience, noting that the government would eventually handle postmortems. He confirmed that the land grabber had been released on medical grounds and said the police are stationed at the market to ensure traders’ safety.