The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has cleared four police officers and a property developer, Abiodun Ariori, accused of involvement in the killing of six traders during a disputed land enforcement operation in the Owode Onirin area of Kosofe, Lagos.

The decision followed a legal advice issued by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which reportedly concluded that the police officers acted in self defence during the incident.

The legal advice, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, stated that investigators failed to provide sufficient evidence to sustain charges of manslaughter against the suspects.

The officers involved were identified as Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu, and Ibrahim Garba.

The policemen were reportedly brought from Nasarawa State by Ariori to enforce a court order concerning ownership of land occupied by traders in Owode Onirin. Ariori was said to be acting as an agent for a Lagos based family claiming ownership of the property.

During the enforcement exercise, violence broke out and six traders were shot dead. The victims were identified as Adeoye Taiwo, Akinloye Seyi, Wale Adebayo, Abraham Idowu, Dare Salaudeen, and Adeoye Akeem.

Following public outrage, the suspects were arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, before the matter was later transferred to Abuja. Ariori was subsequently granted bail alongside the police officers.

In the legal advice dated March 3, 2026, Martins maintained that there was no prima facie evidence linking the suspects directly to the deaths.

According to the DPP, the police officers came under attack from an armed mob during the operation, with one officer allegedly injured and dispossessed of his rifle. He further stated that Ariori was not present at the scene when the incident occurred.

Martins also noted that investigators failed to provide critical forensic evidence, including autopsy reports, ballistic analysis, and examination reports on the firearms issued to the officers.

“From the available facts in the file, there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible for the deaths,” the legal advice reportedly stated.

However, the Nigeria Police Force disagreed with the DPP’s position, insisting that available evidence was sufficient to prosecute the suspects.

In a letter dated March 5, 2026, addressed to the DPP by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dayo Akinbisehin, stated that autopsy reports from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and ballistic examination findings from the Force Criminal Investigation Department established culpability against the suspects.

According to the police, the evidence clearly showed that all the suspects had cases to answer and should be prosecuted in court.

Akinbisehin urged the DPP to review the legal advice in the interest of justice, public safety, and accountability.

Reacting to the development, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, described the matter as far from concluded.

Falana, who represents the families of the deceased traders, said his legal team would provide additional information to the DPP to ensure a comprehensive review of the case.

He also disclosed plans to institute a civil suit seeking compensation for the families of the victims.

According to him, the alleged killing of the unarmed traders would be pursued to its logical conclusion in the interest of justice.

Efforts to obtain further comments from the DPP were unsuccessful, as Martins reportedly directed all media inquiries to the department’s spokesperson.