The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has condemned the recent assault an officer from the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbing (LSSTFLG) in Epe, Lagos, calling for an urgent investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
This condemnation was articulated in a letter by HURMA’s Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, who strongly condemned the act .
In the letter, addressed to the local and state offices, including the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, HURMA expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the Otara area of the Igbooye community, Eredo LCDA, Epe. The organization highlighted the threat posed to residents by individuals allegedly affiliated with the Otto family and condemned the recent attack on a dispatch staff member of LSSTFLG.
HURMA called for immediate action to ensure that justice is done to the matter and restore peace and security in the community.
According to reports received by HURMA’s Central Operational Office from its Epe unit, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State responded to petitions from the Adesada Oganjugbe and Onayemi families.
The state took action by organizing a peace and fact-finding meeting involving the petitioners, family heads, and the alleged encroachers, including Mr. Abdul Rasaq Rafiu (also known as OTO), Mr. Jogunomi, and Mr. Abiodun Adebayo of Chogon Property Ltd and Quickspace Property & Investment. Notices were also posted on properties in the disputed OTARA LAND in Igbooye.
On the morning of November 20, 2024, Mr. Oluwaseyi Fadare, a dispatch staff member from LSSTFLG, was attacked while attempting to serve eviction notices on the properties at Otara land.
He was molested, ridiculed, and assaulted by unknown individuals reportedly stationed by the Rafiu family. During the incident, some of the eviction notices were forcibly taken by the assailants, who threatened to use weapons and charms against Mr. Fadare and other petitioners present.
Fortunately, Mr. Fadare managed to escape by divine intervention.
However , HURMA has emphasized the need for the community and authorities to take decisive action to prevent such incidents from recurring.