Shock In Badagry: Ex-Police Officer Allegedly Kills Three, Dies Under Suspicious Circumstances

The police confirmed the tragic incident on Thursday, disclosing that Atideka shot and killed two family members and another person during the early hours of Tuesday. The victims, identified as Richard Atideka and Latevi Atideka from the Yovoyan community, along with Muji Onilude from the neighboring Gberefu community, were allegedly murdered by the ex-police officer and an unidentified accomplice.

David Atideka, a relative of the deceased and a survivor of the attack, recounted the traumatic event. He stated that the killings occurred between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. within the Atideka compound.

According to the police, after the brutal act, the former officer allegedly ingested a poisonous substance, fell unconscious, and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development, stating, “The suspect in the incident is dead. He killed three people and allegedly took poison after committing the act. He was later rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead.” He added that the bodies of the victims, along with Atideka’s, have been taken to the morgue for further investigation.

Son Challenges Suicide Allegation

However, Henry Atideka, the son of the deceased, has disputed the police’s claim of suicide, insisting that his father collapsed on his way to the Badagry Police Station for questioning, after being invited as the prime suspect.

In an interview with Vanguard, Henry recounted that his father called him around 8:30 a.m., saying he was heading to the station. However, by 12:30 p.m., Henry received news that his father had collapsed and was admitted to the General Hospital in Badagry.

Henry explained that his brother, John Atideka, visited the hospital and found three policemen guarding their father in the intensive care unit (ICU). Later, they discovered their father was no longer in the ICU, and the policemen were also missing. A nurse informed them that their father had passed away.

Henry expressed his frustration, demanding a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind his father’s death. He described his father as a respected figure in the Badagry community and insisted that the police should identify the real culprit to clear his father’s name.

Olatunde Bakare, the Medical Director of General Hospital Badagry, confirmed to Vanguard that the deceased was brought in the afternoon and died approximately three hours later. However, the hospital has not conducted tests to ascertain the cause of death. Bakare stated, “We do not know whether the deceased committed suicide by ingesting something or if his death was due to high blood pressure.”