The Ileke family of Osuke has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Ogun State Government to intervene urgently in the violent crisis rocking their community, following the killing of Saheed Jinadu Shoboyede and continued armed attacks allegedly orchestrated by a notorious land grabber, Elijah Adeogun, also known as Elijah Killer.
Shoboyede was shot dead in broad daylight on February 27, reportedly by Adeogun and his gang, just days after another community member, Rasak Yusuf, was injured during an attack on February 24.
The Ileke family, in a petition to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and the House of Assembly, decried the rising insecurity and accused the police of failing to act despite multiple complaints.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Barrister Olanrewaju Balogun, a member of the Ileke family and legal counsel, described Osuke as a flashpoint of violence, where heavily armed gangs allegedly led by Adeogun have terrorized residents despite multiple court rulings affirming the family’s ownership of the disputed land.
“The police in Ogun State have been compromised. We demand an independent and thorough investigation into the killing of our brother, Saheed Jinadu Shoboyede, and all other violent incidents linked to Elijah Adeogun and his men. If no action is taken, more innocent lives will be lost”, the family alleged in their petition.
According to eyewitnesses, Shoboyede, before succumbing to his injuries, identified Adeogun as his attacker. The family further alleged that Adeogun’s gang attempted to remove his body, possibly to cover up evidence, but were stopped by local residents who rushed him to the Area Command Office in Sango.
Despite securing judgments from both the Ogun State High Court and the Court of Appeal confirming their ownership of the land, the Ileke family claims they have faced relentless attacks and police intimidation by rival factions seeking control of the area.
Their fears are heightened by Adeogun’s controversial past. The family recalled that he had previously faced murder charges, which the Ogun State Ministry of Justice mysteriously withdrew after four years—despite initial legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions stating that he had a case to answer.
Now, with yet another killing allegedly linked to him, the family is demanding accountability.
“The authorities cannot continue to look away. “If justice is not served, it will send a dangerous message that criminals can act with impunity while innocent families continue to suffer”, they insisted.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed Shoboyede’s killing and stated that the State Criminal Investigations Department has taken over the case. However, she could not confirm whether any arrests had been made as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Ileke family has appealed to both state and federal authorities to act swiftly to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace to the troubled community.
“We cannot afford to lose more lives. Osuke is becoming a war zone because of the unchecked activities of these individuals. If security agencies do not act swiftly, the violence will escalate, and more people will die”, their petition reads.