Ota Chief Denounces Police Manhunt Over Ogun Community Crisis

A Chief in Ota land in Ogun State, Elijah Adeogun, has described as false, unfounded and malicious the allegations making the rounds that the Police launched a manhunt for him over an attack in Osuke community of the State on February 27.

It was reported that one person, Saheed Shoboyejo, and many other persons were injured, during two separate attacks on the Osuke community by over armed hoodlums.

Consequently, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun directed the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade, to investigate the killing of one person during an attack on the Osuke community in Ogun State by a gang of armed men allegedly led by a notorious land grabber, Elijah Killer.

But, in an interview with journalists on Monday in Lagos, Elijah, who is the chairman of Eli-Ade Properties Nigeria Limited, narrated that he honoured the invitation of the State CID in Eleweran, Abeokuta, on a Saturday based on the allegation against him and he told Police interrogators of his whereabouts that particular day, including his non-association with the community.

Adeogun said he was subsequently detained due to the status of the issue but released on bail the following Monday having done thorough investigation on his whereabouts on the day of the particular incident, with the condition of coming to the station whenever the complainants appear.

The Chief said the complainants never showed up till now at the station as he was going there everyday except the day of the interview with the journalists.

“It was Eleweran State CID CP that called me last week Friday that he would like to see me. I asked him for what, but he said when I come and I replied ‘no problem’.

“So, I went to the station to see him based on his invitation. On getting there, he told me there was an allegation against me concerning the crisis at Osuke.

“So, the CP said there was a crisis at Osuke community on the 27th of February, 2025 and I told him I had no clue what transpired there. In fact, I have no property over there.

“He said some people alleged that I led a gang and killed someone in Osuke. So, I asked him at what time did this happen? He said around 8:30-9:00am.

“Meanwhile, I was in the Magistrate Court, Ota on this day and at this particular time. As a matter of fact, I have never for once heard of the deceased, Saheed Shoboyebo in my life. I dont know him.

“To cut the story short, I was detained on that Saturday on the basis of the fact that an allegation of murder is a capital offence.

“So, I was detained from Saturday till Monday. They went to carry out findings on where I was on the fateful day and I was released on bail based on their findings but requested that I come to the police station anytime the complainants are around. And I usually go there everyday.

“Unfortunately, those who gave false information to the police against me has never for once showed up till now.

“To my surprise, I started hearing unsubstantiated news making the rounds that the Police declared me wanted. This is false and unfounded,” he explained.

Meanwhile, he called on the IGP to investigate the matter in order to unravel the truth about the attack on the community.

The Chief urged the IGP to make findings if he had ever for once being accused, charged and sentenced of any criminality in his entire life, adding that the complainants should not go scot-free if their allegations were comfirmed to be untrue.

“Therefore, I would urge the Inspector General of Police to investigate three things. One, the police should investigate my knowledge of the deceased’s death. What is the report of the investigation done by the policemen.

“Two, the police should ask those making unfounded allegations to come and table evidence where I have ever been convicted of murder or sentenced on whatever guise in my life before now.

“Three, the Nigerian Police should not bury the issue but approach the court once they found that the allegations are false and unfounded,” Adeogun stated.