Kayode Egbetokun, IG

Police authorities have released the three policemen accused of killing seven traders at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market in Lagos.

It was also gathered that the suspected land grabber linked to the incident, Abiodun Ariori, had regained freedom after securing bail, a development that has sparked anger among victims’ families and human rights advocates.

On August 30, 2025, it was reported that policemen from the Nasarawa State Command allegedly accompanied Ariori to the market, where violence erupted, leaving seven traders dead and about 50 vehicles destroyed.

Instead of facing trial in Lagos where the incident occurred, the officers were taken to Abuja for an orderly room trial. A source claimed the police provost freed them on grounds of “self-defence.” Allegations also emerged that the Nasarawa Commissioner of Police’s close ties with the provost may have influenced the decision, though this could not be independently confirmed.

Families of the victims accused authorities of neglect and extortion, saying they were being asked to pay huge sums for postmortems before the release of their loved ones’ bodies.

Moruf Olayemi, uncle to one of the deceased, described the demand as exploitation, lamenting that justice had been denied. He said Oluwaseyi, one of the victims, left behind three children aged seven, five and two.

Owolabi Ganiu, employer of another victim, accused the police of “monetising postmortems” and condemned the silence of state and local governments. Other bereaved parents described the process as unfair and burdensome, noting that widows and orphans left behind were struggling.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, condemned the release of the suspects, stressing that the case should have been tried in Lagos. He vowed that if the police refused to prosecute, his chambers would take up the case in court.

The Chairman of the Owode-Onirin Spare Parts Market, Abiodun Ahmed, urged families to be patient, saying the government would cover the cost of postmortems. He also confirmed Ariori’s bail, reportedly granted on medical grounds, but noted that police officers had since been deployed to secure the market.

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said it was the first time she was hearing about the case and promised to provide further details.