Ota Chief Denounces Police Manhunt Over Ogun Community Crisis

Urges IGP to Investigate Attack and Hold Perpetrators Accountable

 

 

 

A Chief in Ota land, Ogun State, Elijah Adeogun, has strongly denied allegations suggesting that the police launched a manhunt for him following an attack in Osuke community on February 27.

Reports had claimed that one person, Saheed Shoboyejo, was killed, and several others were injured during two separate attacks on Osuke community by armed hoodlums. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, subsequently directed the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade, to investigate the killing of Shoboyejo, allegedly carried out by a gang led by a notorious land grabber known as Elijah Killer.

However, in an interview on Monday in Lagos, Adeogun, who is also the chairman of Eli-Ade Properties Nigeria Limited, vehemently rejected these claims. He stated that he was invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, and during his interrogation, he provided evidence of his whereabouts on the day of the attack, confirming that he had no connection to Osuke or the incident.

Adeogun further explained that despite being detained due to the seriousness of the allegation, he was released on bail after a thorough investigation confirmed his innocence. He said that the police had requested he report to the station whenever the complainants showed up, but to date, no one had appeared to support the claims against him.

“I was called by the Eleweran State CID CP last week Friday, and when I asked him why, he said we would discuss it when I arrived. Upon my arrival, he informed me of an allegation regarding the Osuke crisis,” Adeogun said. “I told him I had no knowledge of what happened in Osuke, nor did I have any property there. He claimed that people alleged I led a gang and killed someone. However, on the day in question, I was at the Magistrate Court in Ota and could not have been involved. I don’t even know the deceased, Saheed Shoboyejo.”

Adeogun explained that after his detention from Saturday to Monday, the police conducted an investigation and verified his alibi, releasing him on bail with the understanding that he would cooperate further. However, he noted that the complainants never showed up to provide evidence.

To his surprise, Adeogun stated that he began hearing false reports that the police had declared him wanted. He described these reports as “false, unfounded, and malicious,” emphasizing that he had never been involved in any criminal activity.

In light of the ongoing confusion, Adeogun has called on the IGP to launch a thorough investigation into the matter. He urged the IGP to confirm whether he had ever been accused, charged, or convicted of any criminal offense, especially murder, in his lifetime. He also requested that the police hold the individuals making false allegations accountable.

“I urge the IGP to investigate three things: First, the police should examine my knowledge of the deceased’s death and provide a report of their findings. Second, they should question those making false claims and demand evidence that I have ever been convicted of murder or any other crime. Finally, the Nigerian Police should not ignore this matter and must take the case to court if the allegations are proven to be false,” Adeogun concluded.