The Olarinde Royal Family from Oguntedo Village in Satellite Town, Lagos State, has written to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. They accuse some officers from the Lagos State Police Command of misusing their power, intimidating them, and allegedly working with land grabbers.
The family claims the police officers blocked investigations into violent attacks against them. They also say the officers used their power to harass and intimidate family members.
In July 2025, the family protested at The PUNCH Place over the harassment and land dispute.
In the petition, signed by Prince Yussuf Olarinde for the family and obtained by PUNCH Metro on Thursday, they alleged that officers from the Satellite Police Station, Area E Command, Tactical Team Area E, and the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department helped land grabbers and ignored their complaints against these individuals.
The petition was also sent to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, the Commissioner of Police for the X-Squad Unit, and the Police Service Commission.
The family says the disputed area of New Oguntedo Village and Satellite Town was given to them by the Federal Military Government in 1978 after government land acquisition and resettlement.
They further claim that a 1989 Lagos State High Court judgment confirmed their ownership of the land, which was enforced through possession warrants issued in 1997 and 2010.
Despite the court ruling and possession orders, the family says they still face invasions, demolitions, intimidation, and violence from what they call land-grabbing gangs and criminals.
They also accused some police officers of protecting armed thugs, which blocked family members from reaching their ancestral lands and made it hard for them to report to the authorities.
The petition states, “Rather than staying neutral and enforcing legal court rulings, the officers provided cover and protection for armed thugs and land-grabbing gangs; they intimidated rightful occupants and family members.
“They stopped the Olarinde family from accessing their homes and properties. While they oversaw unlawful invasions and demolitions, they also blocked legal complaints and petitions from us; and used police authority to oppress victims while shielding those responsible.”
The family reported several violent incidents, including shootings, assaults, threats to life, and property destruction to the police.
They specifically mentioned an attempted assassination of Olanrewaju Olarinde on July 9, 2025. Armed thugs attacked him, but the police did not arrest or prosecute anyone responsible, despite the family's complaints.
The petitioners accused some officers of creating false criminal charges against family members. They say these officers manipulated investigations and used criminal cases to intimidate them.
They mentioned the arraignment of Yussuf Olarinde, Sanni Olarinde, and the Oba-elect, Latifu Sadiku Olarinde, over alleged murder and armed robbery. Another family member, Tope Olarinde, is also involved in a separate case.
The family also claimed that their properties were demolished, looted, or unlawfully occupied during what they called police-backed invasions.
According to the petition, vehicles, building materials, cash, personal items, and other valuables worth millions of naira were stolen or seized during these incidents.
They urged the IG to start an independent investigation into these claims and to move the relevant case files from Lagos State Command to the FCID or another investigative unit outside the state.
They also want the officers named in the petition investigated, the recovery of stolen properties, prosecution of those identified, and police protection for the Olarinde family and other residents of Oguntedo Village and Satellite Town.
The petitioners said, “We respectfully submit that the continued silence, compromise, neglect, and inaction of some officers of the Lagos State Police Command amid serious complaints, existing court judgments, attempted killings, violent invasions, criminal intimidation, and organized unlawful activities threaten justice and the rule of law.
“We passionately appeal to your office to urgently intervene for justice, public peace, protection of innocent people, and to maintain the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The Force Public Relations Officer, Iniedu Okokon, could not be reached for a response on Monday, as his phone calls went unanswered.
A text message sent to him also did not receive a reply by the time of this report.
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