“One Bullet Over a Daily Wage”: Army Probes Fatal Clash That Left Ogun Demolition Worker Dead

ABEOKUTA — A routine enforcement exercise turned into a tragedy on Monday, February 23, 2026, when a military operative allegedly shot and killed an Ogun State government labourer during a heated confrontation over the demolition of illegal structures.

The victim, identified as Oluwaseyi Adeoye, was a veteran labourer attached to the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development. Following the tragedy, the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, based in the Alamala area of Abeokuta, swiftly launched a comprehensive investigation into the fatal shooting.

Police Confirmation: The Ogun State Police Command has also waded into the matter. Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the killing, stating, “I can confirm that someone attached to the Ministry of Planning was shot dead. I can also confirm that investigations are ongoing to get to the root of the incident.” As the family of Oluwaseyi Adeoye demands justice, the tragic event raises urgent questions about the rules of engagement and the safety of civilian enforcement teams operating in the presence of armed military personnel.

The Flashpoint: Ganic Company, Orile-Imo

The bloody encounter occurred at the premises of Ganic Company, located around Orile-Imo along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway in the Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area. The Mission: Adeoye and his colleagues, accompanied by seven police officers, arrived at the site to execute a government order to pull down unauthorised structures. The Resistance: Upon arrival, the enforcement team met unexpected resistance from military operatives stationed at the facility. The Escalation: Witnesses report that tensions boiled over when the state officials insisted on carrying out their lawful assignment. A violent disagreement ensued between the labourers and the soldiers, culminating in a soldier allegedly opening fire in anger.

“We Had to Scamper for Safety”

Survivors of the clash painted a chaotic picture of the moments leading up to Adeoye’s death. “They actually wanted to kill everyone, but we had to scamper for safety,” a traumatized colleague recounted. “We were accompanied by seven police officers, but they couldn’t do anything.”

During the melee, a bullet struck Adeoye, killing him on the spot. Colleagues mourned the loss, revealing that the deceased had worked with the ministry for 38 years. “It was shocking that we lost Oluwaseyi over a ₦10,000 daily job. He only went out to earn a living,” a co-worker lamented, calling on the state government to compensate the grieving family.

Authorities have since deposited Adeoye’s remains at the State General Hospital Morgue in Ijaye, Abeokuta.

Authorities Respond: The Push for Accountability

The incident has triggered immediate responses from both military and civilian law enforcement commands. The Military Probe: Acknowledging the public outrage, the Headquarters of the 35 Artillery Brigade issued a formal statement on Tuesday, confirming their awareness of the incident. “The Brigade is committed to transparency and accountability, hence, the findings of the investigation will be made public as soon as possible,” the statement read, urging residents to remain calm.

Police Confirmation: The Ogun State Police Command has also waded into the matter. Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the killing, stating, “I can confirm that someone attached to the Ministry of Planning was shot dead. I can also confirm that investigations are ongoing to get to the root of the incident.”

As the family of Oluwaseyi Adeoye demands justice, the tragic event raises urgent questions about the rules of engagement and the safety of civilian enforcement teams operating in the presence of armed military personnel.