Freeman street death: Police treat mob attack as homicide, arrest four

Michael Olumide Alabi

Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with an alleged mob attack that resulted in the death of a man, Basit Kolade, on Freeman Street, Lagos Island.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following a road traffic incident involving Kolade and a motorcycle rider.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, preliminary investigation revealed 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.

The incident reportedly resulted in an argument between the two parties.
The Police said that during the altercation, the vehicle allegedly reversed and struck the motorcycle, causing the rider and motorcycle to fall.

The incident allegedly attracted a group of people in the area who reportedly attacked Kolade with dangerous weapons.

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

The motorcycle rider involved in the incident survived and is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital, according to the Police.

Four suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the alleged attack. They are Khalid Rafiq, 20; Gafar Rahim, 21; Ibrahim Azeez, 33; and Samos Momoh, 21.

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

The Command said it had commenced an investigation into the incident as a homicide case and transferred the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further investigation and appropriate legal action.

The Police Command also warned members of the public against mob action, jungle justice and resorting to self-help.

It reminded the public that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, guarantees the fundamental right to life under Section 33, while unlawful killing constitutes an offence under the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

According to the Command, no individual or group has the legal authority to arrest, try, convict or execute another person.

The Police said the warning was consistent with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, directing Police Commands to treat cases involving mob action resulting in death as homicide.

The IGP also warned that persons who participate in, organise, incite or support such attacks would face the full weight of the law, according to the statement.

The Lagos Command stressed that suspicion or an allegation of wrongdoing did not give anyone the right to take the law into their own hands.

It urged members of the public to promptly report criminal incidents to the Police and allow the legal process to take its course.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, directed that all persons found culpable in the incident be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Fatai 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.