The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five individuals in connection with a violent assault and cattle rustling incident that occurred in Okun Imedu, Imedu Town, within the Lekki Local Council Development Area (LCDA), during the recent Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya) celebration.
According to police reports, the suspects—allegedly accompanied by individuals dressed in military uniforms—stormed the town, disrupted ongoing festivities, chased away caterers preparing for the celebration, and stole a cow meant for the party.
A manhunt has been launched for other fleeing members of the gang.
A senior officer at the Akodo Divisional Police Station revealed that the attack was led by one Saliu, who arrived with a group that included four people dressed in military attire. Video footage of the incident, now in police custody, is being used to identify and track down the remaining suspects.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Adenuga, Balogun, and Sulaiman.
The incident came to light following a petition dated June 10, 2025, addressed to the Area Commander of Area ‘J’ Command, Elemoro, Ajah, and the Divisional Police Officer of Akodo Division. The petition was filed on behalf of the Oloja Olumade Royal Family of Imedu Town by Barrister Adeyemi Adegbite of AIEL Law Office.
Titled “Stealing, Obstruction of Public Peace, Threat to Life and Attempted Murder on the Members of the Olumade Royal Family,” the petition detailed how the attackers—allegedly supported by four soldiers and 15 thugs—invaded the celebration site on June 7, 2025, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.
According to the petition, the group extinguished cooking fires, issued death threats, and forcefully carted away a cow designated for the festival. The following morning, the group reportedly returned with cult members in an attempt to seize a second cow, but were repelled by police officers from the Akodo Division who had been stationed overnight.
The suspects reportedly transported the stolen cow to the Ise Police Post, but not before allegedly injecting it with a substance believed to be poisonous and breaking one of its legs—actions the petitioner claims were intended to harm celebrants.
Pastor Oluwaseyi Ogunde, who witnessed the event, reported the matter to police and confirmed the existence of photo and video evidence. The stolen cow was valued at ₦3 million.
The petition demanded a thorough police investigation and the prosecution of all those involved, citing ongoing violence linked to an Obaship dispute in Imedu Town.
In reaction, Prince Aliu Adeyemi Shitu Olumade, the Oba-elect of Imedu Town, condemned the attack and assured residents that justice would prevail. He urged community members to remain calm and law-abiding while investigations continue.
