MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Police have arrested a suspected notorious land grabber, Maruf Lasaki and commenced manhunt for his accomplices including Adetilewa Akirindin over allegations of attempted murder over land grabbing in Lagos State.
P.M. EXPRESS gathered that the suspects were alleged to have conspired and invaded a parcel of land with armed thugs in possession of assorted weapons and attempted to assassinate the landowner in order to forcefully take possession of the land.
The incident happened at Sangotedo, Ibeju Lekki Area of Lagos State.
The arrest was effected by the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, following a petition to the IGP against Maruf Lasaki and his gang for causing violence and threatening to maim and kill the complainant in order to take possession of the land.
According to the residents, Lasaki was a well-known land grabber, whose gang had been terrorizing people in the area and grabbing their land with violence. He was said to have a strong backing from another suspected land grabber, Adetilewa Akirindin, who is said to be at large.
However, the latest land grabbing incident has landed him and his group in trouble following the directives of the IGP to apprehend him and his cohorts for investigation over their alleged conduct.
In a petition to the IGP sighted by P.M. EXPRESS, it stated as follows:
“CASE OF CONSPIRACY, THREAT TO LIFE. ASSUALT, ATTEMPTED MURDER AND CONDUCT LIKELY TO CAUSE THE DISTURBANCE OF PUBLIC PEACE AGAINST MR. MARUF LASAKI AND HIS COHORTS, DEMAND FOR URGENT INTERVENTION, INVESTIGATION AND COMPREHENSIVE ATTENTION “
“We are solicitors to MAUREEN HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (“Our Client) on whose instructions we petition your good offices on the above subject matter.
We are briefed that on the 6th of April 2025, one MARUF LASAKI (“the culprit”), a notorious land grabber and trespasser broke into a land belonging to our client and situated at Sangotedo, Ibeju Lekki Area of Lagos State, with more than 50 thugs wielding and attacking with dangerous weapons including guns, machetes, battle axes, etc. They attempted to kill everyone on the property, which made the people to flee for their lives.”
“While everyone was still struggling to escape, the culprit and his cohorts were heard saying “WASTE THEM, DON’T WASTE OUR TIME”.
“The culprits have persistently boasted that they will eliminate everyone on our client’s land. The lives of our client’s staff and management are in serious danger, and they are living with reasonable apprehension of harm to their persons if nothing is done to stop the culprits.”
“It is in consequence of the foregoing that our client has instructed us to petition your good office to conduct detailed investigation on the allegation with a view to preventing our client from being further harmed by the culprits and to prosecute the culprits in accordance with the law in the interest of peace and security of our client and others. We have strong confidence in your efficiency in combating crimes of this nature as our client is willing and ready to aid the Police during investigation.
Accept the assurances of our esteemed professional regards.” the petition stated.