The Baale of Ijagemo in Lagos, Chief Jimoh Olateju Balogun, has distanced himself from the circumstances surrounding the death of a trader, Charles Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu was confirmed dead following an incident in the Ijagemo area of Ijegun, Lagos State, with his widow alleging that the killing was linked to a protracted land dispute.
The incident, which occurred about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, has sparked tension in the community, prompting intervention by security agencies and appeals for calm by community leaders.
Mrs. Blessing Nwachukwu, widow of the deceased, alleged that her husband was attacked in his shop by a group of men, including an individual she identified as a police officer popularly called “Olopa.”
According to her, the assailants stormed the shop while the family was eating, assaulted her husband and vandalised property.
They killed my husband in his shop. All I want is justice,” she said, calling on the government and security agencies to investigate the incident and protect her family.
She further alleged that the attack may be connected to a lingering dispute over the ownership of the land on which their shop is located, claiming that her family had faced threats in the past.
The widow also made allegations against some individuals in the community, claiming they had intimidated her family. However, these claims could not be verified as of press time.
However, following the tension in the area, Chief Balogun called for calm and urging residents to allow security agencies to carry out a full investigation.
Balogun said he had no prior knowledge of the incident and was only informed after it had already occurred.
“I am not aware of what happened until I was informed to intervene, but it has been reported that the man has died,” the community leader told journalists.
He explained that initial reports indicated a fight had broken out in the area, which later resulted in the fatality. According to him, the matter has since been reported to the police, who have taken over the investigation.
Balogun expressed concern over what he described as false claims linking him to the incident, stressing that the incident occurred at a beer parlour located far from his palace.
He maintained that he neither had involvement in the dispute nor knowledge of its root cause.
While offering condolences to the family of the deceased, the Baale urged anyone with grievances to seek justice through lawful means rather than resorting to violence or retaliation.
He also issued a warning to individuals attempting to incite unrest, stating that anyone found fomenting trouble would be handed over to security agencies.
Reaffirming the peaceful nature of the Ijagemo community, Balogun подчеркнул that residents of different ethnic backgrounds, including the Igbo community, coexist without discrimination.
He attributed the area’s stability to mutual respect, understanding, and tolerance among its people.
He further encouraged residents to go about their normal activities, assuring them that law enforcement authorities were actively working to identify and prosecute those responsible for the incident.
