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The Igede community in Benue State is reeling from profound grief following the brutal killing of Solomon Ode Ogbaji, a young man from Ohuhu in Oju Local Government Area, whose body was discovered at Eko Atlantic in Lagos four days after a fatal misunderstanding.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture: security operatives at a construction site allegedly mistook Ogbaji for a thief attempting to steal iron rods. Despite his desperate pleas of innocence and explanations that he was simply en route to work, he was reportedly subjected to severe beating until he succumbed to his injuries. Sources close to the incident claim Ogbaji was not part of any theft group and had no opportunity to prove his identity before the assault turned deadly.
His body was later found near the waterfront, abandoned and bearing clear signs of trauma. The discovery has ignited outrage across social media and within the Benue diaspora in Lagos, with many describing the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers of profiling, extrajudicial violence, and the erosion of due process in security operations.
Community leaders and family members are demanding a thorough investigation, calling on the Lagos State Police Command and relevant authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible. Questions are also being raised about the role of private security firms operating in high-value areas like Eko Atlantic and the protocols—or lack thereof—governing their interactions with the public.
This tragedy adds to a growing list of concerns over vigilante-style justice and the treatment of ordinary citizens, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds, in Nigeria’s commercial capital. As the Igede community mourns, there are renewed calls for reforms to prevent such preventable losses and ensure that no one is denied the right to life or fair treatment based on mere suspicion.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement, but pressure is mounting for transparency and accountability in the handling of this case. Solomon Ode Ogbaji’s death is not just a personal tragedy—it is a sobering call for justice in a nation still grappling with systemic failures in public safety and human rights.
