Thursday, April 3, 2025 - The Yovoyan community in Badagry, Lagos, was thrown into mourning when an ex-police officer, allegedly shot and k!lled two family members and one other person over a land dispute.
It was gathered that Mr Richard Atideka, and Mrs Latevi
Atideka, both from the Yovoyan community and Mr Muji Onilude (PICTURED) from
the neighbouring Gberefu community, were allegedly k!lled by the ex-police
officer and his accomplice on Tuesday morning, April 1, 2025.
A survivor of the attack, Mr David Atideka, recounted the
harrowing experience, stating that the incident occurred between 2:00 a.m. and
2:30 a.m. in the Atideka compound.
“I was inside my room discussing with my wife when I stepped
out to urinate. As I did, I saw two armed men entering the compound. I quickly
hid nearby," he narrated.
“They entered my room, asked for me, and immediately shot my
wife in the head. Out of fear, I ran to inform my elder brother, but when I
arrived, I found his lifeless body—he had been shot too.”
He further alleged that he saw his second elder brother who
is the ex-police officer (suspect), along with another armed person, leaving
the compound after k!lling his wife and other brother.
"The person I saw was my brother, the police officer. I
recognized him clearly,” he said.
NAN learnt that the alleged suspected k!ller had been in a
long-standing dispute with his brothers over land ownership.
The
publication said a reliable source disclosed that the suspect had been
attempting to seize land from David and Richard Atideka.
"They
had taken the matter to court, where the suspect was arrested and detained but
later released on bail. They were due for a final court judgment this
Thursday,” the source revealed.
Meanwhile,
Mr Yusuf Onilude, the son of slain Muji Onilude, said his father had just left
his room moments before he was m8rdered.
“My father
came to my room at about 2:10 a.m. We spoke for a few minutes before he left.
Less than five minutes later, I heard gunshots outside. I rushed out and saw a
man running away. I chased him, but he fired shots in the air and
escaped," he said.
“When I returned, I found my father in a pool of blood. He had been shot d3ad."
Reacting to the incident, the community representative, Mr James Yovoyan urged the police to ensure the perpetrators were brought to justice.
Chief
Lorence Atideka, the family head, lamented the tragedy, calling on the
government to arrest and prosecute everyone involved.
However,
Henry Atideka, the son of the alleged k!ller, denied the accusations, claiming
that unknown gunmen carried out the attack.
“My father
was not around when the incident happened, and he has been invited by the
police. Although the family had some disagreements, it was not about land but a
conspiracy, which we planned to resolve this Thursday,” he said.
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