The footage, according to sources familiar with the matter, has deepened outrage over the conduct of the police team and its alleged involvement in a civil land matter.
A senior police officer attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit in Osogbo, Osun State, identified as CSP Lukman, popularly known as “Eluku SARS,” has been accused of using his office to aid suspected land grabbers and intimidate lawful occupants of a disputed property in the state capital.
The officer, who serves as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Cultism Unit in the Ayekale area of Osogbo, was accused by affected landowners and community members of mobilising armed policemen to harass, assault and threaten workers on the property, despite earlier insisting that the police had no role in land-related disputes...To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
In a series of videos obtained by SaharaReporters, an armed officer was seen assaulting a man at the back of a police van after several people were arrested during the operation.
The footage, according to sources familiar with the matter, has deepened outrage over the conduct of the police team and its alleged involvement in a civil land matter.
The controversy began after landowners approached the police to report alleged acts of trespass and intimidation on a parcel of land located in the Ajewole area along Ikirun Road, Osogbo.
Sources said officers initially declined to intervene, maintaining that land ownership disputes were civil matters outside the jurisdiction of the police.
But the complainants later expressed shock when the same police formation allegedly became actively involved in subsequent operations on the disputed land.
According to the landowners, CSP Lukman led several visits to the site, accompanied by armed officers, during which workers carrying out activities on the land were beaten, harassed and forced to flee.
In one of the videos obtained by SaharaReporters, reportedly recorded on different dates, officers are seen assaulting arrested workers put at the back of a police van.
Witnesses stated that CSP Lukman openly threatened workers and vowed severe consequences for anyone found carrying out activities on the land.
The allegations have further intensified concerns among residents following previous reports linking the disputed property to an ongoing legal battle involving several individuals, including Mr. Lawrence Dada, popularly known as “De-Law.”
Community members noted that Dada has been a prominent figure in the dispute and was frequently seen moving around the area with armed escorts while allegedly enforcing claims over the property.
The development comes amid rising tension surrounding the ownership of land formerly belonging to the late Alhaji Gafaru Salami Atere, popularly known as Sominie.
WORKER ASSAULTED
Recently, the Osogbo Youth Emancipation Team (OYET) accused Mrs. Mistura Busari, Mr. Lekan Alabi, Mr. Lawrence Dada (De-Law) and Mr. Najeem Popoola of engaging in activities capable of disturbing the peace of the ancient town.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Temitayo Waheed Adeagbo, the group explained that some individuals forcefully entered the disputed land relying on a Writ of Possession issued in Suit No. HOS/M.206/2024.
The group said the execution of the writ was subsequently stayed by the Osun State High Court and later set aside by the court, which ordered that all parties be given fair hearing.
According to OYET, despite the court decisions, some individuals allegedly continued to intimidate persons connected with the property. The group also alleged that certain security operatives had become involved in matters outside their official responsibilities.
“We have information that some police officers have been acting in support of alleged land grabbers. These officers have made several attempts to intervene in matters outside their official responsibilities and jurisdiction,” the statement said.
Residents and stakeholders are now calling on the Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations against CSP Lukman and ensure that law enforcement agencies remain neutral in civil disputes.
Concerned residents insist that a transparent investigation is necessary to determine whether security personnel were improperly involved in a matter that remains the subject of legal proceedings.
Court order sets aside earlier possession exercise
Meanwhile, court documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that the land dispute had previously been litigated before the High Court of Justice of Osun State sitting in Osogbo.
In an order issued by Hon. Justice S. A. Oke at the High Court of Justice, Osun State of Nigeria, Osogbo Judicial Division, the court considered a motion brought by Mrs. Mistura Busari against Mr. Sarafa Omidiji, Mr. Miuili Folorunso and Mr. Muntru Saka, for themselves and other members of Alare Compound.
The motion on notice sought, among other reliefs, an order extending the time within which the applicant could apply to set aside the entire suit, proceedings, and judgment delivered on February 20, 2025, by Justice A. O. Oyebiyi in Suit No. HOS/M206/2024 between Mrs. Mistura Busari v. Mr. Sarafa Omidiji & 2 Ors.
The applicant also prayed the court to set aside the entire suit, proceedings, and judgment of February 20, 2025, on the ground that the matter was heard and determined without jurisdiction, as it concerned the applicant’s property situated along the New Express Osogbo/Okuku Road, now known as the Osogbo/Ikirun Road, Osogbo.
The motion further prayed the court to declare the judgment delivered on February 20, 2025, a nullity ab initio, set aside the execution carried out on the applicant’s land on April 30, 2025, and order the respondent to issue a written apology to the applicant, to be published in three national newspapers within seven days of the ruling.
The supporting affidavit was sworn to by Igbinovia David Okundia of No. 1 Powerline Area, opposite Mrs. Filling Station, Osogbo, Osun State, and filed at the Registry of the High Court of Justice, Osogbo, on May 12, 2025.
The motion sought, among other reliefs: “An order of this Honourable Court extending the time within which to apply for setting aside in whole the entire suit, proceedings and judgment/order delivered on the 20th day of February, 2025 by His Lordship, the Hon, Justice A. Oyebiyi-Judge in suit NO. HOS/M206/2024 Between Mrs. MISTURA Busari V. Mr. Sarafa Omidiji & 2 Ors.
“An order of this Honourable Court setting aside in whole the entire, suit, proceedings and judgment/order delivered on the 20th day of February, 2025 by His Lordship, the Hon. Justice A. O. Oyebiyi –Judge in suit No. HOS/M206/2024 Between Mrs. Mistura Busari v. Mr. Sarafa Omidiji &2 Ors, as same was conducted and concluded without jurisdiction as it relates to the Applicant’s property/land situate, Iying and being along the New Express Osogbo/Okuku Road, Osogbo (now along Osogbo Ikirun Road, Osogbo).
“An order of this Honourable Court setting aside the judgment/order delivered on the 20th day of February, 2025 by his Lordship, the Hon. Justice A. O. Oyebiyi – Judge in suit No. HOS/M.206/2024 between Mrs. M. Busari v. Mr. Sarafa Omidiji & 2 Ors, same being a nullity ab initio.
“An order of this Honourable Court setting aside the execution levied by the Applicant/Respondent on 30th April, 2025 on the Applicant’s land as afore described.
“An order of this Honourable Court directing the Applicant/Respondent to issue a written apology to the Applicant to be published in three (3) National Dailies within 7 days upon delivery of judgment/ruling in this present motion.
“And for such further or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
After hearing counsel for both parties, including Chukwudi Maduka, Esq., for the applicant and Lekan Alabi, Esq., for the respondent, Hon. Justice S.A. Oke ordered that the execution previously carried out on the disputed land be set aside pending the determination of the substantive case before Hon. Justice A.O. Oyebiyi.
The enrolled order further restrained Mrs. Mistura Busari from carrying out any further execution on the land pending the determination of the substantive suit.
“It is hereby ordered that Applicant/Respondent Mistura Busari is here by the restrained from further execution on the land under consideration, and the execution earlier carried out is hereby set-aside, Mr. Lekan Alabi Esq. promised to abide with this order, pending the determination of the substantive case before My Lord, A. O. Oyebiyi,” the court ruled.
When SaharaReporters contacted the spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi Zechariah, he neither answered his phone calls nor responded to the text message sent to him.