Lagos Police Arrest Four Over Mob Killing Of Motorist On Lagos Island

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged mob killing of a motorist, Basit Kolade, following a road traffic incident on Freeman Street, Lagos Island. According to a press release on Monday, September 7, 2026, signed by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebesi, the incident occurred on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at about 10:40 p.m., when Kolade was reportedly travelling with his spouse from Ebute Metta towards Lagos Island in a black Lexus Jeep with registration number KSF 115 JZ. According to preliminary investigations, a motorcycle allegedly collided with the vehicle from behind, resulting in an argument between the motorcyclist and Kolade. Police said the situation escalated when the vehicle allegedly reversed and struck the motorcycle, causing the rider and the motorcycle to fall. The incident reportedly attracted a group of individuals in the area who allegedly attacked Kolade with dangerous weapons. While Kolade's spouse was rescued by some women in the vicinity, he was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The motorcycle rider involved in the incident survived and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital. The Police Command said four suspects have so far been arrested over the alleged attack. They are Khalid Rafiq, 20; Gafar Rahim, 21; Ibrahim Azeez, 33; and Samos Momoh, 21. The Command added that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other individuals allegedly involved in the attack. The case, which is being treated as a homicide, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation and appropriate legal action. The Police Command warned residents against mob action, jungle justice and other forms of self-help, stressing that no individual or group has the legal authority to arrest, try, convict or execute another person. The Command recalled that Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees every person the fundamental right to life, while the Criminal Law of Lagos State criminalises unlawful killing, which may constitute murder or manslaughter depending on the circumstances. The warning is also in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, directing Police Commands to treat cases of mob action resulting in death as homicide. The IGP had further warned that anyone who participates in, organises, incites or supports such attacks would face the full weight of the law. The Lagos Command therefore urged members of the public to report suspected criminal activities to the Police rather than resorting to violence or taking the law into their own hands. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, has directed that all persons found culpable in the incident be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. CP Fatai assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and thoroughly, adding that anyone found to have participated in the attack or otherwise contributed to Kolade's death would be made to face the law.