[VANGUARD] The Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Mayor Dele Oshinowo has dismissed narratives that he led the attack on police officers over a land dispute at Owode-Onirin Market.
This is as he described the report as an attempt to misinform the public, tarnish the reputation of the council, and distort the true facts of the matter.
In a media release made available on Sunday, Mayor Oshinowo however, gave details of what transact over the Owode-Onirin Market.
It reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a malicious, misleading, and completely irresponsible report falsely alleging that Mayor Dele Oshinowo, the Executive Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, led an attack on Mobile Police officers over a land dispute at Owode-Onirin Market. This report is a deliberate attempt to misinform the public, tarnish the reputation of the council, and distort the true facts of the matter.”
“The Owode-Onirin Market is a recognized local government market, and the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA holds official title documents to the land. As the duly elected Local Government Chairman, it is the responsibility of the Chairman to oversee all markets within our jurisdiction, and Owode-Onirin is no exception. Contrary to the misleading claims, the Council was never informed of any court judgment regarding the land until the very day that unknown individuals acting on the orders of a land grabberi, stormed the market, forcefully displacing peaceful traders, harassing and arresting them, and demolishing their shops without prior notice, consultation, or due process.
“The traders, who had lawfully occupied the market for years, were left in distress and called on the local council for help. From our investigations, it was discovered that the said land-grabber is well-known, and infamous for criminal land grabbing activities in Lagos State.”
“Upon receiving the traders’ distress calls, the Executive Chairman along with key council officials, visited the site to assess the situation. However, upon arrival, the Council officials were ambushed, molested, and tear-gassed by these unidentified armed men, leading to the hospitalization of several council officials. An official report was immediately filed to the Lagos State Government, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (A.I.G) Zone 2, and the Attorney General, in line with due process.”
“Contrary to the false report, no thugs were mobilized by the Council at any point. Instead, upon recognizing the unrest, the Lagos State Government deployed officers from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), led by its Commander CSP. Shola Jejeloye, to restore peace and ensure the protection of lives and property. It is worth noting that when Council officials arrived at the scene, six individuals claiming to be Mobile Police officers were present. When asked to identify themselves, they could not provide proper authorization for their presence. Four of them were subsequently arrested, while two fled the scene. The arrested individuals were taken to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, where it was confirmed that they were not on an officially assigned duty. If they were truly acting lawfully, why did they flee? Why couldn’t they prove their legitimacy?”
“It is deeply unfortunate that some individuals, driven by selfish interests, are using the Press to spread falsehoods and manipulate public perception. The fact remains that Agboyi-Ketu LCDA has the rightful Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for this land, and no amount of propaganda can change that. The Council was never notified of any judgment, nor were we invited for any form of discussion before the market traders were forcefully displaced and their businesses destroyed. The report circulating in the media deliberately twists the situation, portraying those who acted unlawfully as victims while attempting to discredit the Council’s lawful intervention.”
“We remain committed to protecting the rights and interests of our people, ensuring that justice prevails, and upholding the rule of law at all times. Agboyi-Ketu LCDA will not be intimidated by falsehoods or bullied into surrendering public property to land grabbers. We urge the public to disregard this misleading report and remain assured that this administration will continue to serve with transparency, integrity, and unwavering dedication.” He said.