A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Charles Atideka, has allegedly killed three people over a land dispute before reportedly taking his own life.
The incident occurred in Badagry, Lagos State, and has sparked controversy over the circumstances of his death.
According to the Lagos State Police Command, Atideka, 63, shot and killed two family members—Richard Atideka and Mrs. Latevi Atideka—from the Yovoyan community, along with Mr. Muji Onilude from the neighboring Gberefu community.
The attack took place in the early hours of Tuesday between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.
A survivor, David Atideka, recounted the harrowing incident, which left the community in shock.
Lagos Police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the retired officer allegedly ingested a poisonous substance after the killings.
He was found unconscious and rushed to a hospital, where doctors later confirmed his death.
“The suspect killed three people and allegedly took poison afterward. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His corpse and those of the victims have been deposited in the morgue,” Hundeyin stated.
However, Henry Atideka, the suspect’s son, has strongly denied the suicide claim. He insists his father collapsed and died while on his way to the police station for interrogation.
“My father was invited to the police station in Badagry as the prime suspect. Around 8:30 a.m., he called me to inform me he was heading there. By 12:30 p.m., I received a call that he had collapsed and was taken to the General Hospital,” Henry explained.
Henry’s brother, John, who arrived at the hospital, found their father under police guard in the intensive care unit. However, when he returned later, their father was gone, and the police presence had vanished.
“When I called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for answers, he claimed he didn’t know what had happened,” Henry stated.
Dr. Olatunde Bakare, Medical Director of General Hospital Badagry, confirmed that Atideka was brought in and died about three hours later.
“We have not conducted any tests to determine the exact cause of death. We cannot confirm whether he took poison or if he died due to high blood pressure,” Bakare said.
Henry insists that false accusations and stress led to his father’s death, and he has called for a thorough investigation to identify the true culprit.
“My father was a respected member of the Badagry community. He didn’t kill anyone. The police must investigate and find the real killer,” he said.
The case remains under investigation as the community seeks answers.
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