By Trendsetter Tribune 
The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has formally called for the immediate removal of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, accusing the command of a “moral bankruptcy” and a coordinated cover-up following the deaths of six traders at the Owode Onirin spare parts market.
In a scathing press conference held on Monday, February 2, 2026, the group alleged that the police have transitioned from law enforcers into “political actors” protecting land grabbers at the expense of citizens’ lives.
The “Owode Six”: A Tragic Timeline
The current crisis traces back to August 27, 2025, an event now referred to by rights activists as the “Owode Onirin Massacre.” According to reports from the CHSR and eyewitnesses, a “brutal alliance” of state actors, land grabbers, and compromised security operatives—reportedly including officers brought in illegally from outside Lagos—invaded the market to enforce a forced eviction. The encounter turned deadly when gunmen opened fire on traders.
- Casualties: Six young men, identified as breadwinners of their families, were killed in cold blood.
- The Alleged Perpetrators: Activists point to a notorious land grabber who allegedly used armed thugs and “outsourced” police to bypass local oversight.
- Current Status: Five months later, the CHSR claims no meaningful investigation has taken place, and the families of the “Owode Six” have received neither justice nor compensation.
Gaslighting and “Rented Crowds”: The Recent Escalation
Tensions boiled over following a visit by CP Moshood Jimoh to the market on January 30, 2026. While the police framed the visit as “engagement” to assure traders of justice, the CHSR characterized it as a cynical “damage control” mission.
The group particularly took issue with the CP’s dismissal of recent protests at the State House of Assembly:
- “Rented Crowds”: The CP allegedly labeled anti-eviction protesters as paid agitators.
- “Civil Society Outsiders”: He claimed that rights groups were meddling in local affairs where they had no standing.
- The Response: CHSR President Alex Omotehinse produced a letter from the Owode Onirin Spare Parts Association dated March 10, 2025, proving the community had formally invited the group to intervene nearly a year ago.
“Non-Negotiable” Demands
The CHSR issued a list of demands to the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Government:
- Immediate Removal: The exit of CP Moshood Jimoh for “lack of leadership tolerance” and “temperamental” handling of civil rights.
- Independent Investigation: A full probe into the August 2025 killings by a body outside the Lagos Command.
- Prosecution of Land Grabbers: The arrest and trial of the specific individuals who allegedly orchestrated the market invasion.
- Restoration & Compensation: Full financial support for the families of the deceased and the restoration of livelihoods for displaced traders.
A Growing Movement in Lagos
The Owode Onirin case is not an isolated incident. It has become a rallying point for a broader coalition including residents of Makoko, Oworonshoki, and Otodo-Gbame—all communities currently battling what they describe as “state-sponsored land grabbing” under the guise of urban development.
As the CHSR warned: “History is watching! The victims are watching!! And the whole world is watching.”