Metro
How Ajimobi, Oyo police violated victims’ rights to life in market clash – VOHRI
A human rights group, Veteran Organization for Human Rights Initiative (VOHRI) has declared that the Oyo State Government and the state Police command violated rights to life of victims of Thursday’s clash which occurred between butchers and policemen.
The mayhem which occurred Thursday morning, DAILY POST recalls led to the killing of about six persons.
But, VOHRI lead activist, Comrade Sakirullahi Ayobami and General Secretary, Comrade Adekunle Abimbola, while addressing a press conference at the weekend in Ibadan, explained that the state government under the leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi has violated section 33 of the Nigerian constitution which guarantees the freedom to right to live of the people who died on Thursday.
They added that the police on the other hand, also acted contrary to its own act, Police Act section 1, which states that the primary role of the police is to protect lives and property of the people.
The duo while condemning the mayhem added that the state government has tampered with the fundamental human right of those who lost their lives, noting that the police instead of protecting the people went ahead to harass, intimidate and in the process about six people lost their lives, an offence VOHRI said was against the Police Act.
The group further alleged that the state government and the police have also committed contempt of court by going to the market on Thursday, because three court cases are still pending on the relocation of butchers in Ibadan.
The duo while issuing a 3-day ultimatum which starts from today (Monday) to the state government to reopen the Bodija abattoir and allow the courts to decide, however, declared that failure to heed to the advice of the organisation will lead to a 1 million man mass protest in Ibadan, the state capital.
While commensurating with those who have been affected by the crisis, VOHRI said it will compel the state government and the police to pay due compensations to those who were affected by the crisis through the courts.
They said, “Are we still in military regime? We want the government to explain to us who owns the Amosun abattoir. We condemn the action of the government and the police totally. And we have began the processes, we are going to file fundamental actions against the government and the police for the killing of the innocent people.
“Killing of innocent people is unconstitutional, demolition of the abattoir is unconstitutional. Is Ajimobi saying he is above the law? There are three cases, one at the magistrate court and two at the High Court. The case at the magistrate court has been adjourned till July 16, the two cases at the High Court are adjourned till October 24 and 25, so why did they go to the market to kill people? Are they saying they are above the law?
“The state government by sending the police and in the process some people were killed has committed offence against section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution. Right to life of the people has been violated. Are they now saying that those people don’t have right to life as stated in section 33? Did they see them with arms?
“The police whose salaries are being paid with our taxes, they are now using guns to kill people. We are going to sue the State government and the police. We are going to file fundamental actions against the state government and the police. The people have lost over N500m and they are going to pay for it. The police act, Section 1 states that, the primary function of the police is protection of lives and property of the people. We are filling fundamental actions against Oyo state government and the police over the Bodija killings.
“We are now issuing a 3-day ultimatum to Oyo state government to reopen the closed abattoir at Bodija market and let the courts decide. The ultimatum starts from Monday. Failure to do that, we are mobilising 1 million people in a mass protest in Ibadan. ”
It was a night of sorrow and devastation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as a horrific multiple-vehicle crash along the Ibadan axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed at least five lives and left eight others injured in a fiery chain collision involving trucks, tankers, and smaller vehicles.
The accident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday around the Satguru Maharaji Ji Village axis, just before the Ibadan Toll Gate, throwing the busy highway into chaos as flames and thick smoke engulfed the scene.
The crash involved six trucks, including gas tankers and trailer units, two Toyota Hilux vans, and two cars, according to emergency officials who described it as one of the most severe road accidents in recent times on the corridor.
Eyewitnesses said the tragedy began when one of the trucks reportedly suffered brake failure and rammed into another vehicle ahead of it, triggering a chain reaction that quickly escalated into a multi-vehicle inferno.
In moments, several vehicles were trapped in the blaze, while terrified motorists and bystanders watched helplessly as the fire spread across the expressway.
Eight persons were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said the crash was caused by brake failure which spiralled into a massive fire outbreak.
“Upon arrival, we discovered that the accident involved six trucks (gas tankers and trailer trucks) and two cars, resulting in a fire outbreak,” he said.
“Five persons were recovered dead, while eight others were rescued and handed over to the team of the Federal Road Safety Corps led by SRC Adegbite from Toll Gate, Ibadan, for further medical attention at the nearest hospital.”
Firefighters eventually brought the inferno under control after hours of operation, while security operatives and traffic officials worked to clear wreckage and restore movement on the busy expressway.
Normalcy has since returned to the road, but the tragedy has left behind a grim reminder of the dangers of mechanical failure and unsafe haulage on Nigeria’s busiest highway.
A deeply disturbing incident has left residents of Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State, in shock after a 20-year-old woman allegedly killed her 97-year-old grandmother during a family dispute.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed that the tragic incident occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on June 12, 2026, following an argument between the suspect and her paternal grandmother at their residence.
According to preliminary investigations, the disagreement escalated into violence when the young woman allegedly struck the elderly victim on the head with a wooden chair. The blow reportedly left the nonagenarian severely injured and unconscious.
The victim was later discovered in a pool of blood after the suspect’s father reported the incident to the Sabon Garin Daura Police Station. Police operatives immediately rushed to the scene and evacuated her to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
Despite efforts by medical personnel, she was confirmed dead by a doctor shortly after arrival.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said the suspect was arrested in the course of investigation and had reportedly made a confession to the crime.
He added that the suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations, assuring that justice would be served in accordance with the law.
The command also appealed for calm among residents, reiterating its commitment to a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
No fewer than 20 shops were razed while goods valued at over ₦200 million were destroyed after a midnight fire gutted a shopping complex in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The inferno, which started around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, affected the Nigerian Postal Service shopping complex located beside the Dugbe General Post Office.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent on Sunday that the fire was allegedly triggered by an accident involving a Lexus saloon car.
According to residents, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while travelling from the Queen’s Cinema axis towards Iyaganku.
The vehicle was said to have rammed into a giant billboard situated in front of the Nigerian Railway Corporation station in Ibadan before somersaulting and splitting into two.
Witnesses said the rear part of the vehicle, reportedly carrying a Compressed Natural Gas tank and back tyres, detached and rolled into the shopping complex, where an explosion occurred, igniting the fire.
The blaze razed about 20 shops dealing in stationery, computer accessories and clothing materials, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
Men of the Oyo State Fire Service were, however, able to prevent the fire from spreading to the General Post Office and adjoining buildings.
The occupants of the Lexus reportedly escaped unhurt.
Although some eyewitnesses alleged that the occupants were heading towards the Ring Road area before the crash, authorities had yet to officially confirm details surrounding their identities and movement as of the time of filing this report.
When our correspondent visited the scene around 8 a.m. on Sunday, firefighters and security operatives were still at the complex battling the aftermath of the inferno as smoke billowed from sections of the affected structure.
Shop owners and residents gathered at the scene, lamenting the destruction of goods and property.
One of the affected traders, Kingsley Chioma, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Iyaganku Police Station assured victims that efforts were underway to apprehend the driver.
“We lost goods worth millions of naira to the fire. The DPO assured us that the driver responsible for the incident would be arrested,” Chioma said.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the Oyo State Fire Service and the police had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
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