The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights, CHSR, has criticised what it termed a “theatre of impunity” in the aftermath of the Owode-Onirin motor spare parts market tragedy, where seven traders were killed.
The group condemned the release of three policemen accused of carrying out the killings and the bail granted to alleged land grabber, Abiodun Ariori, whom traders linked to the violent invasion.
In a statement signed by its President, Alex Omotehinse, CHSR faulted the Nigeria Police Force for transferring the officers to Abuja instead of prosecuting them in Lagos, describing the move as an attempt to shield the suspects from accountability.
“The Nigeria Police Force has once again opted for cover-up and selective justice,” Omotehinse said.
“Relocating the case to Abuja instead of conducting trial in Lagos is nothing but a calculated effort to deny victims’ families their right to justice.”
The organisation dismissed the police’s self-defence argument as a distortion of facts, insisting that the claim was unjustifiable given that the slain traders were unarmed and only attempting to protect their shops.
CHSR also criticised the police for not opposing Ariori’s bail application, arguing that this demonstrated collusion between security operatives and individuals accused of orchestrating the deadly invasion.
The rights group expressed further outrage over reports that bereaved families were being compelled to pay for post-mortem examinations before they could reclaim the remains of their loved ones.
“Exploiting grief for financial gain is barbaric, inhuman, and unacceptable. It reinforces the notion that justice in Lagos is reserved for the wealthy and politically connected,” Omotehinse said.
CHSR called for the immediate re-arrest and prosecution of the three policemen and Ariori in Lagos courts, while also urging the Federal Government to launch an independent inquiry into the killings.
The association pressed for external oversight of the case by human rights groups and the Nigerian Bar Association to prevent what it described as “judicial compromise”.
“The blood of the Owode-Onirin victims cries for justice. Lagos cannot parade itself as a centre of excellence while tolerating police killings, land grabbing, and systemic injustice.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and justice denied is democracy betrayed, Omotehinse declared,” the group stressed.
DAILY POST recalls that on August 30, 2025, armed men, reportedly supported by policemen, stormed the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market, leaving at least seven traders dead and destroying about 50 vehicles.
Victims included Wale Adebayo, Akinboye Oluwaseyi, Taiye Adeoye, Mufutau Salaudeen and Idowu Abraham.
While the police initially claimed only three deaths, eyewitnesses and hospital records confirmed seven fatalities with many others critically injured.
DAILY POST observed that fresh outrage erupted on October 4, 2025, when news broke that the three officers had been released and Ariori granted bail on medical grounds, sparking renewed demands for accountability.
Lagos market massacre: Rights Group demands re-arrest, prosecution of accused officers