CP Olohundare Jimoh Leads Operation to Reopen Lagos-Badagry Expressway After Otto–Ijanikin Clash, Seven Arrested
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh Moshood, on Saturday personally led a joint team of police operatives and tactical squads to restore normalcy at the Otto-Ijanikin axis of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway following a violent communal clash.
The expressway, which had been blocked for several hours due to a confrontation between youths from Otto and Ijanikin communities, was successfully cleared and reopened to traffic at about 9:00 a.m., allowing motorists and commuters to resume normal movement.
According to the Lagos State Police Command, calm has been restored in the affected communities, with residents returning to their lawful activities under heavy security presence.
During the clash, a resident identified as Akinyemi Omo Akin was reportedly shot and later died in the hospital. The Commissioner of Police has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident, to be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.
Preliminary investigations by the Command indicated that reports alleging the deceased was hit by a stray police bullet are “incorrect and untrue.” Police sources stated that prior to their arrival at the scene, distress calls from members of the public alleged that rival groups had enlisted suspected cultists who engaged in a gun duel. The victim was believed to have been shot during the exchange.
The Command confirmed that seven suspects from both sides of the divide have been arrested and are currently in police custody. The suspects reportedly made voluntary statements detailing their involvement in the clash.
Security operatives also recovered one locally made pistol and two live cartridges from one of the suspects.
Tactical squads and anti-riot police personnel have since been deployed to comb the affected communities and surrounding bushes in a bid to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
The Lagos State Police Command warned troublemakers and their sponsors against actions capable of breaching public peace, stressing that the full weight of the law would be applied to those arrested.
Parents and guardians were also urged to caution their wards against engaging in activities that threaten lives and property.
CP Jimoh reassured residents of the state of the Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, encouraging members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear. He further appealed to residents to promptly report suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines.
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