By Evelyn Usman &  Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS—Tragedy struck yesterday in  Ibeju-Lekki area of  Lagos State, after  unknown gunmen attacked and shot dead the Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.

The Chief Security Officer of Dangote Refinery, identified simply as Colonel Usman, was also reportedly injured.

Reports at Vanguard’s disposal  had it that Disu was on inspection of ongoing construction of a refinery in the area  when he was  ambushed by his assailants and shot at close range.

Thereafter, his assailants were said to have abandoned him in the pool of his blood.

However, another account had it that crisis broke out  at between  Ibeju-Lekki villagers and some Mobile policemen at Okunraiye, during a protest by the former.

The villagers were said to have been protesting against what they described as forcible take over of their land  by Lagos State government, when policemen  swooped on them.

On sighting some members of  staff of the said refinery on the site, they reportedly ordered them out, insisting that the land belonged to them.

The deceased was said to have attempted to  calm frayed nerves, when some hoodlums allegedly hijacked the otherwise peaceful protest and unleashed mayhem on  anyone in sight.

In the process, two protesters  whose identities could not be immediately ascertained were allegedly shot dead by the policemen.

Renewed protest over alleged killing

The alleged killing   reportedly sparked off a renewed  protest which took a violent dimension, where dangerous objects, including guns, were alleged to have been used.

According to an eye witnesses who simply gave his name as Makanmi , “Alhaji Tajudeen Disu  was accompanied by some Mobile policemen to the protest scene . But during the crisis between the protesters and  policemen guarding him, he was felled by a bullet. A policeman was also hit by a bullet.

“The protest was over the  forcible take over of the community land for the construction of a petrochemical refinery. The protest has been ongoing until it turned bloody today (yesterday).”

A joint patrol by the military, mobile police and conventional policemen were reportedly ongoing.

Although normalcy  returned to the community at about 1pm, Vanguard gathered that some of the villagers had fled their abode  for fear of being arrested by the police.

Lagos State govt, Police react

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, expressed sadness over the loss, even as he appealed to residents of Ibeju Lekki area to give peace a chance by allowing government to carry out projects aimed at bringing development to their communities.

Ambode said: “Under this circumstance, weapons such as guns were used by these villagers within the Lekki Free Trade Zone axis this morning. It saddens my heart and the heart of all of us because this was the person who had been dedicated to the job in the last 10 years by  promoting the inflow of investments into Lagos State.

“I have directed the Commissioner of Police to do a thorough job into the killing. I want to appeal to all our people in Ibeju- Lekki to give peace a chance, It is in the interest of all Lagosians that we attract many investors as much as possible to the state, as this will create job opportunities.

10 persons arrested

While briefing State House Correspondents  on the incident,  the State  Commissioner of Police ,  Mr. Fatai Owoseni, disclosed that10 suspects had been arrested so far, assuring that the Police would get to the root of the matter, as investigation was still on-going.

Vanguard gathered that among those arrested were a traditional ruler, otherwise known as Baale,  in the area,  Chairman of Odua  Peoples Congress, OPC,  and other high profile community members.

Owoseni  said: “We have so far arrested 10 suspects and the arrest that were made are those that were directly responsible. We are still in the state of operation, more arrest will be made and  we will do a diligent investigation. We will ensure that those behind the dastardly act are caught. We will go after their sponsors and I can assure you that the investigation will be  carried out as speedily as possible and diligently prosecuted.”