Police dismiss gunmen attack in Lagos community

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed reports that armed men invaded Ajebo Community near Agbowa in the Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area, injuring residents, firing shots, and looting properties.

An online report by a media platform (not PUNCH) had claimed residents of Ajebo were attacked by “gunmen”, injuring people and destroying properties before police intervention.

The story said the unrest began on Monday and continued until Tuesday afternoon, with scores of residents abandoning homes for fear of further attacks, and alleged that hoodlums wielded axes, cutlasses and guns during the alleged invasion. The community head was quoted as describing the situation as a “horror” and citing blocked roads and attempts to harass police operatives during rescue efforts.

In a statement on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the police described the report as “mischievous, untrue, and misleading,” explaining that the incident in the community was a land dispute between two families.

According to the statement, joint police intervention teams, including tactical squads, PMF anti-riot personnel, and officers from Agbowa Division, quickly restored normalcy in the area.

“The incidents that occurred are a land dispute between two families within the AJEBO Community that led to chaos andconfusion in the village. Upon receiving the report, the Police joint intervention teams comprising the Tactical Squads, the PMF Anti-Riots Police personnel, conventional police personnel from Agbowa Division, Area N Command, and other special Police units from Lagos Police Command Headquarters as well as others stationed at Agbowa were immediately deployed to the location. Normalcy was promptly restored, and the people of the Community continued to go about their normal business and other activities of livelihood.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, directed a prompt investigation into the matter. Preliminary findings confirmed that the unrest was limited to the land dispute and not an attack by gunmen. The leaders of the contending families have been identified and served police invitations to report for questioning.

“Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, directed a prompt intervention and investigation into the incident. Preliminary investigation revealed that the disturbance and clashes within the village stemmed from a land dispute between two contending families, and not an attack by gunmen against the community.

“No life was lost, and no injuries were inflicted on anyone or the people of the village before and during the clashes, before normalcy was restored and is currently being sustained.

“The Command further wishes to reaffirm that there was no firing of any firearm or guns during the incident, contrary to the claims circulated in the report. No death or injury was also recorded, and there was no invasion of the community by any armed group from anywhere. The detachments of police officers and other tactical squads intervened and acted swiftly, professionally, and immediately restored peace and tranquillity throughout the community.”

The police said the leaders of the two families involved in the land dispute had been identified and issued invitations to report to the Commissioner of Police for investigation. They added that the parties had been strongly warned to maintain peace, noting that the full weight of the law would be applied to anyone who attempted to cause further trouble.

CP Jimoh urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation and called on media outlets to practice responsible reporting. He reassured residents that the Lagos State Police remain committed to maintaining peace and security across the state.

He warned that troublemakers would face the full weight of the law if peace is threatened again.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, hereby implores and cautions members of the public against spreading misinformation, and urges the writer of the story to desist from publishing reports that are incorrect, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary fear and panic.

“He stresses the need for responsible reporting for the benefit of the public. He also reassures residents of the affected community, and Lagos State in general, of the Command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security, and order across Lagos State at all times,” the statement read.