Lagos CP Orders Statements as Probe into Trade Fair Fatal Incident Continues; Odogwu Cleared of Presence at Scene

Lagos CP Orders Statements as Probe into Trade Fair Fatal Incident Continues; Odogwu Cleared of Presence at Scene
By Prince Benson Davies

The Lagos State Police Command has taken direct control of investigations into the fatal clash at Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and has asked all parties involved to submit separate statements to aid the probe. The directive comes amid early claims linking the President of Balogun Business Association, Chief Oscar Paul Ikechukwu Odogwu, to the incident, with police sources confirming he was not at the complex when the breach occurred.

The confrontation happened on Sunday, May 3rd 2026 between security personnel attached to BBA and members of the complex’s environmental monitoring taskforce. One taskforce operative lost his life in the incident. An unverified online platform initially reported that Chief Odogwu was implicated, but updates from the Commissioner of Police’s office indicate he was away from the premises at the time and has not been named in the preliminary findings.

Mr Afam Ezeakire, a BBA security operative identified as a person of interest, has since turned himself in and is currently in police protective custody. With the case file now under the Office of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Command is handling the investigation directly to ensure neutrality and thoroughness. At a meeting on Monday in Ikeja, the CP directed every party connected to the matter to submit individual written statements. Those expected to comply include Trade Fair management, BBA leadership, Chief Security Officer Hon Silas Chime, Deputy CSO Hon Sam Ifeanyi Obi, and Chairman of the management taskforce Alhaji Ismaila Bakare.

A senior officer familiar with the case, who requested anonymity, said the Police, the Honourable Minister overseeing the complex, Trade Fair management, and BBA executives are cooperating fully with the process. He explained that once all statements and forensic reports are reviewed, the findings will be sent for legal advice ahead of possible charges in court. Attempts to reach Chief Odogwu, Hon Chime, Hon Obi, Alhaji Bakare and Trade Fair officials for comment were unsuccessful as they were attending to the police directive at the time.

The Commissioner’s intervention is expected to clarify the sequence of events, address misinformation that spread after the incident, and ensure accountability for all parties involved.