Police Probe Fatal Clash Between Soldiers, Ogun Demolition Team

The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has launched an investigation into the death of an official during a violent clash between enforcement officers of the State’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and military personnel in Orile-Imo area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the State.

The incident occurred on Monday, February 23, 2026, during an operation to demolish illegal structures in the community.

The deceased, identified as Oluwaseyi Adeoye, was allegedly shot amid an altercation between the ministry’s demolition team and soldiers who reportedly attempted to halt the exercise. Adeoye was said to have been rushed to the State General Hospital, Ijaiye, where he was confirmed dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.

An official of the ministry, Makinde Ibrahim, who narrated the incident, alleged that the team was confronted by military personnel shortly after arriving at the demolition site and warned them not to proceed with the operation.

According to him, the team leader, identified simply as Hazmat, insisted on carrying out the demolition despite the warning, leading to a heated argument that degenerated into a clash.

“They actually wanted to kill everyone, but we had to scamper for safety.

“When we got to the site, the team engaged the engineer on the ground who begged, but he insisted that the demolition must be carried out.

“He ordered us to pull down three structures, but one soldier barked at us and asked us to leave. However, the team leader insisted that we must carry out our duty.

“We were accompanied by seven police officers, but they couldn’t do anything,” Ibrahim said.

Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Concrete Dealers Association, Kolawole Obadeyi, faulted the decision of the team leader to proceed with the demolition despite the presence of armed soldiers.

“We have been working with the ministry for decades and there are usually clashes on site, but I blame the team leader in this case.

“When they got there and discovered soldiers at the location, they ought to have retreated. Most times, what should happen is to call for reinforcement so that the demolition does not turn bloody.

“We have been working with the ministry for about 38 years now.

“It was shocking that we lost Oluwaseyi because of a N10,000 daily job. He only went out to earn a living. This is unfortunate,” Obadeyi said.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Ogun State, Tunji Odulami, described the death as unfortunate and assured that security agencies had been contacted to identify those responsible.

“Right now, we are reaching out to all the security agencies to adequately identify them and who they are. They can’t just come from the moon. We need to identify them and follow due process to get to the root of the matter.

“But more importantly, such a thing must not happen again,” he said.

He commiserated with the family of the deceased and promised that the state government would provide compensation.

When contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident and said investigation was ongoing.

“I can confirm that someone attached to the Ministry of Planning was shot dead. I can also confirm that investigation is ongoing to get to the root of the incident.

“That’s all I can confirm. Every other thing, investigations will unravel with time,” Babaseyi stated.

The incident has heightened concerns over inter-agency clashes during enforcement operations in Ogun State, as authorities intensified efforts to regulate urban development and remove illegal structures.