Two security guards, Segun Sodiya and Segun Abatan, are in police custody in Ogun State for allegedly setting a 44-year-old man, Basiru Aliu, on fire. The incident occurred in the Agura Sabo area of Sagamu on Monday, December 30, 2024, after the guards mistakenly assumed Aliu was a thief.
Misunderstanding Leads to Violence
Aliu was helping his employer, Fatai Ifekoya, transport belongings from his former residence to a new site in Ijokun around 7 a.m. when the incident occurred. While carrying out his duties, he was confronted by Sodiya and Abatan, security guards hired by another resident, Kingsley Nwabueze.
Believing Aliu was attempting to steal the items he was moving, the guards reportedly attacked him, poured a flammable substance on him, and set him ablaze.
Police Response
The victim’s employer, Ifekoya, immediately reported the incident to the police. According to Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, officers from the Division Crime Office and a patrol team responded promptly.
Aliu was rescued and taken to Royal Cottage Hospital in Agura Sabo, where he is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be responding well.
Arrest and Investigation
The two guards were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and are currently in custody. The Ogun State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Abeokuta is handling the investigation, with plans to prosecute the suspects once inquiries are completed.
Odutola emphasized the importance of avoiding vigilante actions, urging residents to report suspicious activities to the police rather than resorting to violence.
Broader Context
This incident follows a similar case in Ogun State on December 23, 2024, when Sarah Ayinde allegedly set her husband, Abidemi Ayinde, a special constable with the Ogun State Police Command, ablaze in Iperu. The suspect in that case remains at large.
Authorities Stress Caution
The Ogun State Police Command has reiterated the need for calm and lawful responses to suspected criminal activity. Odutola warned against taking the law into one’s hands, highlighting the dangers of misjudgments and the severe consequences of such actions.
Community Outrage
The case has sparked outrage in the community, with calls for stricter regulations and training for private security personnel to prevent such tragic misunderstandings in the future.
As investigations proceed, the police are determined to ensure justice for the victim and prevent similar occurrences. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due process and the dangers of resorting to violence.
