ABEOKUTA, OGUN – A routine enforcement exercise in Ogun State turned bloody on Monday after a labourer was shot dead during a violent confrontation between a government demolition team and military personnel.
The incident occurred when officials from the state’s enforcement agency, accompanied by security aids, moved to pull down structures at a disputed site. The exercise was reportedly met with stiff resistance from individuals on the property who were being guarded by soldiers, leading to a heated stand-off that rapidly escalated into gunfire.
Escalation and Fatal Gunfire
According to eyewitness accounts, the disagreement between the government officials and the military operatives deteriorated within minutes. During the ensuing chaos, a soldier allegedly opened fire, hitting a labourer who was part of the demolition crew. The victim died instantly at the scene.
The sound of gunfire sent residents and other workers scurrying for safety, bringing the demolition exercise to an abrupt and tragic halt. Witnesses at the site claimed the presence of the military was intended to stall the state government’s urban planning mandate.
Police and Military Response
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the clash and the resulting fatality. A spokesperson for the command stated that an investigation has been launched to identify the specific officer responsible for the shooting and to determine why military personnel were stationed at a private demolition site.
While the military authorities have yet to issue a formal briefing, sources indicate that internal disciplinary boards are reviewing the conduct of the soldiers involved. The state government has condemned the killing, describing it as an avoidable tragedy and an interference with civil governance.
Context of Land Disputes in Ogun
This fatal clash is the latest in a series of violent land-related disputes in Ogun State involving security agencies. It comes at a time of heightened tension across the country, following the FCT Area Council elections and President Tinubu’s recent declaration that the nation is “out of the woods” economically.
The state government has vowed to seek justice for the deceased worker, insisting that urban renewal projects will continue despite the “intimidation” by armed personnel.
