Demolition Team-Soldiers Clash Leads To Death Of Labourer

A clash between a demolition team and soldiers has resulted in the death of a labourer.

Oluwaseyi Adeoye, who was working with the Ogun State Government was allegedly shot dead by a military operative during a demolition exercise today

The tragic incident occurred at Ganic Company around Orile-Imo along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway in the Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of the state.

Our correspondent gathered that state’s town planning enforcement demolition team was trying to enforce building regulations in the premises but met opposition from soldiers there.

Adeoye was part of a team from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development assigned to pull down illegal structures in the area.

The bone of contention was what was supposed to be the right height of the company’s fence of which the deceased was playing an active role for the demolition team.

Witnesses said tensions escalated after the demolition team insisted on carrying out their assignment despite objections from the soldiers.

The disagreement reportedly degenerated into a clash between the labourers and the military personnel, when a stray bullet reportedly hit Adeoye, and he gave up the ghost.

One of the labourers, narrating the incident, alleged that a soldier opened fire in anger as the enforcement team was about to start the demolition exercise.

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Reacting to the incident, Chairman of the Concrete Dealers Association, Kolawole Obadeyi, said, “We have been working with the ministry for decades. Usually, there are clashes on the site, but we know how to manage such incidents.

“When they got there and discovered soldiers were at the location, they ought to have retreated. Most times, the right thing is to call for more reinforcement so that the demolition does not turn bloody.

“It was shocking that we lost Oluwaseyi over a ₦10,000 daily job. He only went out to earn a living. This is unfortunate.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, while confirming the tragic incident stated:

“I can confirm that someone attached to the Ministry of Planning was shot dead. I can also confirm that investigations are ongoing to get to the root of the incident. That’s all I can confirm. Every other thing, investigations will unravel in time,” he said.