The Managing Director (MD) of Lekki Worldwide Investment Company, otherwise known as the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Mr. Tajudeen Disu, was yesterday morning shot dead at the Lekki area of Lagos State.
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 happened during a protest by members of Okunraye Community of Lekki, who were protesting the siting of an oil refinery in the area.
Already, 12 persons including two community leaders have been arrested in connection with the protest and the murder of Mr. Disu.
Based on what was gathered, 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 learnt 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.
The Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Dangote, Usman and three Policemen, who were trying to save Disu, were said to have been 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.
Meanwhile, the governor of Lagos State, 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.
Ambode said: “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.”
Ambode described the late Disu as a man who was committed to promoting the inflow of investment to Lagos State and also expressed concern over the motives of those behind the killing.
However, Offor said the police still had the Baale and the chairman of the O’Odua People’s Congress (OPC) and other high profile community members in custody.
Also, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said the late Disu was using his relationship with the community to pacify the protesters when he was shot.
Mr. Owoseni said Disu was rushed to the hospital but could not survive the gunshot.
He confirmed that three policemen, who tried to rescue him were also injured by the hoodlums.
“We have arrested 12 suspects in connection with the murder. We arrested many but after screening them, we released some and we are keeping 12 suspects.
“We would do a diligent investigation and we must ensure that those arrested would be charged to court as soon as possible, adding that Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations has already visited the scene.
“We will go after the sponsors of the protest and I can assure you that the investigation will be carried out speedily and diligently,” he stated u