The Lagos State Police Command has declared one Abiodun Ariori, CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, wanted in connection with the violent clash between traders and land grabbers at Owode Onirin, Lagos, which claimed three lives and left a police inspector critically injured.
The incident, which disrupted business activities and blocked major roads around the Owode Onirin axis, prompted the immediate deployment of police operatives led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh.
A combined team of operatives from the Operations Department, Police Mobile Force, Rapid Response Squad, tactical units, and detectives from the State CID moved in swiftly to restore peace and reopen the roads to traffic.
According to the police, three persons fatally injured during the clash were confirmed dead at the hospital, while a police inspector remains on the danger list in critical condition.
Preliminary investigations linked Ariori to the crisis, leading to his declaration as wanted after efforts to apprehend him proved abortive.
The police urged members of the public to report his whereabouts, stressing that he should surrender himself at the nearest station. Four policemen alleged to have illegally accompanied the suspect from outside Lagos have also been arrested and are facing orderly room trial.
Meanwhile, police also quelled a separate disturbance at Balogun Market on Lagos Island on Wednesday morning.
The Command clarified that the incident was not a tribal clash but a fight among hoodlums, during which one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State was stabbed to death by Ebuka Adindu from Abia State. Adindu, who also stabbed himself and collapsed, is currently receiving treatment under police custody pending prosecution.
CP Jimoh reassured residents that Lagos remains peaceful, urging the public not to panic but to cooperate with security agencies.
