A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Charles Atideka, has allegedly killed three people over a land dispute in the Yovoyan community of Badagry, Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, according to reports.
The Police Command in Lagos State confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the ex-police officer allegedly shot and killed two family members and one other individual.
The victims were identified as Mr Richard Atideka, Mrs Latevi Atideka, and Mr Muji Onilude. According to NAN, the late ex-police officer and his yet-to-be-identified accomplice carried out the attack.
A survivor of the attack, Mr David Atideka, recounted the harrowing experience.
He stated that the incident occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. in the Atideka compound.
SP Hundeyin confirmed that the perpetrator took his own life after committing the act.
He allegedly ingested a poisonous substance, became unconscious, and was later rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
The command’s spokesperson stated that the suspect was dead and that the corpses of the victims had been deposited in the morgue. However, a different account of events emerged from the son of the alleged killer.
Mr Henry Atideka, son of the late Charles Atideka, disputed the suicide claim. He stated that his father collapsed and died while on his way to the Badagry Police Station for interrogation.
Henry told NAN that his father had been invited by the police as the prime suspect in the alleged killing of three people in their community.
He claimed that medical records from the General Hospital in Badagry indicated otherwise.
The incident has left the community in shock, with many wondering what could have led to such a tragic event.
The police are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The land dispute that allegedly led to the killings is a common issue in many Nigerian communities.
The incident highlights the need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent such tragedies.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to mourn the loss of four lives.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing disputes peacefully and seeking help when needed.
