Residents Petition Lagos Govt, Police Over Killings In Oko-Agbon, Iwaya, Demand Arrest Of Alleged Masterminds

Residents of Oko-Agbon and Iwaya communities in the Yaba area of Lagos State have petitioned the state government and the Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu over recurring killings and violent attacks in the communities, demanding an independent investigation and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

In the petition dated November 4, 2026, the residents expressed outrage over what they described as persistent violence, alleging that young people from the communities had continued to lose their lives amid attacks, gang rivalries and territorial disputes.

They called on the Lagos State Governor and the Inspector-General of Police, through the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, to intervene immediately and prevent further bloodshed.

The petitioners said the latest reported incident occurred when some youths from Oko-Agbon attended a social gathering in Iwaya, which allegedly turned violent and resulted in the deaths of several people.

They identified five people reportedly killed as Mesu Adolph Baba Tee, Mesu Suru Soweto, Saosi Abel, Godonu Roger and Agunchede Vesan.

“These young people were not statistics. They were human beings with families, aspirations and futures. Their deaths represent an irreparable loss to their families and a painful indictment of the failure of the relevant authorities to guarantee the safety of citizens,” the petition stated.

The residents also expressed concern over reports that as many as eight people were killed in a single day, as well as alleged additional deaths involving youths from both sides since the crisis began.

They said the situation had created fear and uncertainty, accusing the authorities of failing to adequately protect residents from armed attacks and possible reprisals.

The petitioners further alleged that one man, whom they described as being associated with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), was involved in the violence and allegedly led the group responsible for the attacks.

They, however, demanded that the allegations against Bamidele and other individuals implicated in the crisis be thoroughly investigated.

“We demand a thorough, independent and impartial investigation into these allegations and the identification of every individual involved in planning, organising, financing or executing the attacks,” they said.

“Nobody must be shielded from prosecution because of political connections, social influence or organisational affiliation.”

The residents warned against treating the killings as ordinary communal disagreements, insisting that no individual or group had the right to take the law into its own hands or turn residential communities into killing fields.

“How many more young people must die before the Lagos State Government acts?” they asked.

They added that the crisis required more than routine security statements and temporary police deployments, calling for decisive intervention and a comprehensive strategy to dismantle the networks allegedly sustaining the violence.

Among their demands are an immediate and independent investigation into all reported killings and attacks; the arrest and prosecution of everyone found culpable; and a thorough investigation of the allegations against Bamidele and other suspected masterminds.

They also urged the Lagos State Police Command to deploy adequate security personnel to the affected communities to prevent further attacks and retaliatory violence.

The petitioners called on the government to guarantee the safety of residents, particularly young people, women, children and other vulnerable groups.

They further demanded that the Lagos State Government engage the victims’ families, ensure justice and provide appropriate support and compensation to those who have suffered losses.

The residents also called for an investigation into the sources of weapons allegedly used in the violence, the activities of armed groups and the networks facilitating the recurring attacks.

They urged the government and police to provide regular public updates on the investigation and demonstrate their commitment to ending the killings.

“We wish to state categorically that the people of Oko-Agbon and Iwaya deserve peace, security, justice and the freedom to live without fear of violent attacks,” the petition stated.

The residents also condemned what they described as the politics of gangsterism, intimidation, territorial control and violence, arguing that poverty, unemployment and social deprivation could not justify the destruction of human lives.

They called on civil society organisations, labour movements, human rights defenders, community associations and other Nigerians to support the affected communities in their demand for justice.

“We cannot afford to lose another generation of young people to senseless violence. We cannot allow the rule of law to be replaced by the rule of armed gangs and violent factions,” they said.

The petition was signed by Mesu Gilbert, Saosi John, Godonu Sunday and Agunchede Daniel on behalf of the residents. (SaharaReporters)