Emmanuel Ikechukwu
Tragedy struck in Lekki, Lagos State on Thursday as the Managing Director (MD) Lekki Worldwide Investment Company, otherwise known as the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Mr. Tajudeen Disu, was shot dead while on peace mission to one of the host communities.
Also, in critical condition are the Chief Security Officer of Dangote Refinery, simply identified as Colonel Usman (retd) and three policemen, who were severely stabbed.
The tragedy was the fallout of a protest by members of Okunraye Community of Lekki, who were protesting the siting of an oil refinery in the area.
Already, about 12 persons including two community leaders have been arrested in connection with the protest and the murder of Mr. Disu.
Reports have it that the community allegedly led by the Baale and the head of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the area had trooped out en masse at the refinery site, demanding that workers should vacate the area as it was not officially sold to them.
It was gathered that Disu was trying to calm down the angry protesters, assuring them that they would be well compensated when someone opened fire and shot him dead.
It was also gathered that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Dangote, Usman and three Policemen, who were trying to save Disu were severally stabbed and macheted by hoodlums who hijacked the protest.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joseph Offor, said the command had initially arrested 20 suspects in connection with the murder.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed shock and sadness over Disu’s murder and had urged the Police Commissioner to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.
Ambode, who said this while fielding questions from journalists yesterday said the late Disu was shot by assailants during an official visit to one of the villages within the zone in the early hours of Monday.
“We are deeply touched with the loss of our dedicated officers at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu, who was until his death the arrow head of the Free Trade Zone Initiative. He was killed within the Lekki Free Trade Zone this morning.
“It really saddens my heart and the heart of all of us because this was somebody that has been dedicated to his duty in the past 10 years.”
