Police arrest four over Lagos man’s mob killing

Abimbola Joseph

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged mob killing of Basit Kolade on Lagos Island, weeks before his wedding.

Kolade was attacked after an argument reportedly followed a road accident involving his vehicle and a motorcycle on Freeman Street, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 2.

The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said in a statement on Sunday that the incident occurred at about 10:40 pm.

According to her, Kolade was travelling with his spouse from Ebute Metta towards Lagos Island in a black Lexus Jeep when a motorcycle allegedly collided with the vehicle from behind.

An argument reportedly followed, during which Kolade allegedly reversed the vehicle and struck the motorcycle, causing the rider and the motorcycle to fall.

The incident attracted a group of people in the area who allegedly attacked Kolade with dangerous weapons.

Adebisi said Kolade’s spouse was rescued by women in the area while the attack was ongoing.

Kolade was subsequently taken to Lagos Island General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The motorcycle rider survived and was receiving treatment, the police said.

The four suspects arrested were identified as Khalid Rafiq, 20; Gafar Rahim, 21; Ibrahim Azeez, 33; and Samos Momoh, 21.

The police said efforts were continuing to identify and arrest other people allegedly involved in the attack.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, ordered investigators to identify and arrest all persons found culpable in the incident.

The command described the case as a homicide and assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and thoroughly.