Retired police officer allegedly kills three, take own life in Lagos

A retired police officer, yet to be identified, has allegedly taken his own life after killing three people, including two family members, in Yovoyan community, Badagry, Lagos State.

The incident, reportedly linked to a long-standing land dispute, occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

The victims were identified as Richard Atideka and Latevi Atideka from Yovoyan community, and Muji Onilude from the neighboring Gberefu community.

According to sources, the retired officer, accompanied by unidentified assailants, stormed Richard and Latevi’s home at midnight, broke into their rooms, and shot them.

A community source, who requested anonymity, stated that the attack took place around 2 a.m.

“The suspect visited his family members’ home at about 2 a.m. and shot Richard and Latevi before fleeing the scene,” the source said.

He was later said to have proceeded to Onilude’s residence, where he also shot him dead.

“The ex-officer shot Onilude shortly after killing his two relatives. While the motive remains unclear, there are claims that the killings were linked to a land dispute, which is currently in court,” the source added.

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Lagos State Police Command stated that the suspect took a poisonous substance after committing the act.

Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the suspect was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

“The man who is 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 him dead. His corpse and those of his victims have been deposited in the morgue,” Hundeyin stated.

He added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.