A retired police officer, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, has reportedly taken his own life after fatally shooting three people, including two of his family members, in Yovoyan community, Badagry, Lagos State.
Reports indicate that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, is linked to a long-standing land dispute. The victims have been identified as Richard Atideka and Latevi Atideka from Yovoyan community, along with Muji Onilude from the neighboring Gberefu community.
According to sources, the ex-police officer, accompanied by unidentified assailants and armed with weapons, stormed Richard and Latevi’s residence at midnight, entered their rooms, and shot them.
A community member, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the attack took place around 2 a.m.
“The deceased visited his family members’ home around 2 a.m., where he carried out the attack. He shot Richard and Latevi before fleeing the scene,” the source stated.
Following this, the former officer allegedly proceeded to Onilude’s house, where he also shot him dead.
“Oluyide is not a member of the family, but he was also shot by the ex-officer shortly after he killed his two family members. According to reports at the police station, community members confirmed hearing gunshots at midnight.
“The cause of the incident is unclear, but there are claims of a dispute over a piece of family land, which is currently a subject of a court case,” the source added.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Lagos State Police Command stated that the suspect died by suicide after committing the killings.
According to The Punch, Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said that the ex-officer allegedly ingested a poisonous substance, lost consciousness, and was later taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“The man, who was the suspect in the incident, is dead. He killed three people and allegedly took poison afterward. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed his death. His body and those of his victims have been deposited in the morgue,” Hundeyin said.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
