Mob kills Lagos man after road crash, four suspects arrested

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Four suspects have been arrested over the alleged mob killing of Basit Kolade following a road traffic incident at Freeman Street, Lagos Island.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the arrests on Monday, saying the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement, saying the incident occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Adebisi said preliminary investigation showed that Kolade was travelling with his spouse from Ebute Metta towards Lagos Island in a black Lexus Jeep with registration number KSF 115 JZ when a motorcycle allegedly collided with the vehicle from behind.

She said an argument reportedly broke out between Kolade and the motorcycle rider.

“During the incident, the vehicle allegedly reversed and hit the motorcycle, causing the rider and the motorcycle to fall,” Adebisi said.

She added that the incident attracted a group of people in the area who allegedly attacked Kolade with dangerous weapons.

According to her, Kolade’s spouse was rescued by some women in the vicinity, while Kolade was rushed to Lagos Island General Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

Adebisi said the motorcycle rider involved in the incident survived and was receiving treatment at a hospital.

She identified the four suspects arrested in connection with the attack as Khalid Rafiq, 20; Gafar Rahim, 21; Ibrahim Azeez, 33; and Samos Momoh, 21.

The police spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other persons allegedly involved in the attack.

Adebisi said the Command was treating the incident as a homicide case and had transferred the investigation to SCID, Panti, for further investigation and appropriate legal action.

She warned residents against mob action, jungle justice and taking the law into their own hands, stressing that no individual or group had the legal authority to arrest, try, convict or execute another person.

Adebisi said the warning was in line with a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directing police commands to treat cases of mob action resulting in death as homicide.

She added that the IGP had warned that anyone who participated in, organised, incited or supported such attacks would face the full weight of the law.

“Suspicion or an allegation of wrongdoing does not confer on anyone the right to take the law into their own hands,” Adebisi said.

She urged members of the public to report criminal incidents promptly to the police and allow the law to take its course.

According to her, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, has directed that everyone found culpable in the incident be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Adebisi said the commissioner had also assured the public that the investigation would be thorough and professional, adding that anyone found to have participated in the attack or otherwise contributed to Kolade’s death would face the law.

Dear Vows