Palpable tension has enveloped the Igando area of Lagos State following a bloody ambush on a Qatar-based couple, Mr. Dayo and Mrs. Adeola Elegbede, by hoodlums suspected to be agents of a prominent Islamic society.
The incident, which occurred yesterday evening at a construction site in the community, has heightened fears regarding religious intolerance and property disputes in the metropolis.
The Nation gathered that the victims had visited the site to inspect the ongoing construction of their nursery and primary school project when they were set upon by the assailants.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the assault is the fallout of a lingering feud over the couple’s decision to site their school adjacent to a property belonging to the Islamic group. It was learnt that the group had earmarked their land for the construction of an Islamic school and mosque, leading to friction with the couple over the proximity of the two diverse institutions.
A family source, who craved anonymity due to fear of reprisals, disclosed that the crisis dates back to early 2023 when the couple commenced their project. According to the source, the group developing the adjoining property had vehemently opposed the construction of the school.
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“Trouble started immediately after my brother began construction of his nursery and primary school,” the source stated. “The group developing the Islamic school next door began issuing repeated death threats to the couple, warning them against establishing their school in that specific area.
“We never imagined it would escalate to a physical ambush in broad daylight. It is shocking that such lawlessness can go unchecked in a sane society.”
Speaking on the telephone, one of the victims, Mr. Dayo Elegbede, condemned the dastardly act and expressed profound disappointment over the handling of the matter by security operatives.
Elegbede accused the police of lethargy, alleging that prior petitions regarding the threats to their lives had been treated with kid gloves.
“This issue has been brewing since early this year,” he lamented. “We have raised alarms, but the authorities have done little or nothing to defuse the tension. It appears there is a bias on the part of law enforcement, as they often seem reluctant to act when these religious groups are involved.”
The attack has sparked outrage within the community, with community leaders calling for immediate dialogue to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that there was an incident in the area.
Hundeyin, however, stated that he had not yet been fully briefed on the specific details of the clash or the identities of the casualties. He promised to provide an update once investigations are concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest of any perpetrators.