Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The family of Owolabi Oniyiku, a 30-something-year-old man described as the main breadwinner of his household, is demanding justice and a thorough investigation following his alleged shooting death by police officers attached to a border patrol team in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. In an emotional appeal to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, the family has called for the immediate dismissal of the officers involved, accusing them of harassment and extortion along the road, and has pleaded that his death not be allowed to go without accountability.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at a police checkpoint along the Atan-Ita/Ifonyintedo axis, triggering violent protests and tension in the border community. According to a relative, Kolade Oniyiku, the deceased had returned home to celebrate the Oro festival with family and friends. He was expected to travel back on the day of the incident when he encountered the policemen at Akinde Junction. Reports indicate that a police patrol checkpoint had been razed overnight in the community on Tuesday, prompting the security operatives to mount a roadblock, which unleashed anger on commuters, motorcyclists, and residents plying the route the next day.
On the day of the incident, Oniyiku had reportedly offered to take a friend on his motorcycle to Ilashe Garage, where the friend could continue his journey to Sango-Ota. During this journey, they encountered a blocked road where police personnel had reportedly seized several motorcycles, causing apprehension for other motorcyclists. Oniyiku reportedly saw some of his friends whose motorcycles had been seized and stopped to plead with the officers to release one of the bikes. The situation degenerated into an argument, and in the process, an officer allegedly fired a shot, hitting Oniyiku in the chest, killing him instantly. An 18-second video of the lifeless body went viral on social media.
Kolade Oniyiku, the relative, strongly refuted any suggestion that the deceased had been aggressive or combative. "He went there to ask if they could pass through the other side of their shed. The police officer began arguing with him, saying, 'Don't pass here, don't pass here.' As he started turning around, the officer just opened fire on him; he didn't even move further. He didn't fight with them; he didn't do anything," Kolade alleged. He expressed deep disappointment that no police officer had visited the family or formally contacted them to express concerns following the incident.
The killing has had a devastating impact on the family, as Oniyiku was their main source of support. "What his death did to us right now is very heavy. It devastated the family because he was the one taking care of his mother. He was the one sending money to all his younger siblings. He was the one taking care of the family. It hurt the family deeply; all of us are in tears," Kolade said. Contrary to earlier reports that his wife had recently given birth, Kolade clarified that it was his younger brother's wife who had welcomed a baby.
The killing sparked immediate and violent protests in the community. Miffed by the development, youths in the area reportedly went on a violent protest against the security operatives, burning down a police station in the community. They also took the corpse to the Idiroko Area Command, demanding justice for the deceased. The Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the alleged killing, demanding the disbandment of what it described as an illegal, unauthorised checkpoint where the incident occurred.
Kolade appealed to the government to intervene and stop the frequent roadblocks and alleged extortion by security personnel along the road. "Regarding those roadblocks they set up on that road, we don't want them. The government should save us from them because they are doing too much," he added. He alleged that security personnel frequently demanded money from motorists and residents, particularly on market days. "Sometimes officers like the Border Patrol collect N50,000 or N100,000 from people for minor issues. And if we report to their superiors, they won't listen," he alleged.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident and stated that the officers involved had been arrested and that the Command was investigating the case. The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ipokia branch, has condemned the killing and called for an independent probe, demanding a review of all checkpoints in the area and alleging that residents face daily harassment, repeated stops, and demands for money at checkpoints. As the family awaits justice, the tragedy of Owolabi Oniyiku's death serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of police brutality and the urgent need for systemic reform in law enforcement practices across the nation.
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