A journalist with The Guardian, Eniola Daniel, has petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, over an alleged assault by suspected Omoonile (land grabbers) in Akowonjo, Alimosho Local Council of Lagos State.

In the petition, Daniel alleged that he was attacked while covering a land dispute that sparked tension in the community following the enforcement of a court judgment in July.

Residents and business owners in Akowonjo were thrown into panic on July 30 and 31, 2026, when individuals claiming to be enforcing a 2003 court judgment reportedly shut shops, schools, banks and homes, restricting access to businesses and residential estates.

Residents alleged that suspected Omoonile harassed property owners, damaged fences and removed gates from some compounds. Notices bearing the inscription, “ID/1537/90. Possession Taken Today 30/7/26 By Court Order,” were also pasted on several buildings, while armed police officers were stationed at strategic locations.

The exercise reportedly involved individuals claiming to represent the judgment creditors, accompanied by armed officers attached to the Lagos State Task Force.

They said they were taking possession of about 56.570 hectares of land under a judgment delivered by the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja Judicial Division, on November 26, 2003.

The notices identified Alhaji Ashafa Ogundare Oshunroye, Lamidi Ogundare and Chief Olufunmi Yisa as the judgment creditors, acting for themselves and on behalf of the Yaku Family of Agege.

They stated that occupants without title derived from the family were trespassers and that steps had been taken to enforce the judgment and recover possession of the land.

Recounting his experience, Daniel said he arrived at the scene to document the developments, interacted with police officers deployed to the area and proceeded to speak with residents.

He said that at about 3:00 p.m., he saw Alli Hassan, identified as a family attorney to Alhaji Ashafa Ogundare, entering Santos Estate, Akowonjo. Daniel said he approached Hassan to ask about his intervention in the dispute.

According to the journalist, Hassan suggested they walk around the estate to assess the damage residents had attributed to suspected Omoonile.

Daniel said he began recording footage of Hassan’s intervention but was asked by a man believed to be one of the attorney’s aides to stop filming until they reached a location where a fence had allegedly been damaged.

He said he complied but was subsequently asked by another aide to delete the footage, which he also did, as several men allegedly threatened to beat him.

“To my dismay, one of the men accompanying the chairman attempted to snatch my phone, while another assaulted me by punching me in the left ear,” he said.

Daniel alleged that the punch left him bleeding and dislodged two brackets of his dental braces.

He further alleged that another man threatened him in Yoruba, saying: “O fe ri oga tiwa fin, a ma pa e si bi, ko de si nkan to ma sele.”

He translated the statement as: “How dare you disrespect our boss? We will kill you here, and nothing will happen.”

The journalist said he subsequently fell ill and had been receiving medical treatment for injuries to his ear and mouth.

In the petition, he urged the commissioner of police to ensure that Hassan and those allegedly involved in the attack were brought to justice.

“I am earnestly appealing to you to use your good offices to bring Alli Hassan and the men who assaulted me to justice, and to demonstrate that the rule of law is duly respected and enforced in Lagos State,” he said.

The case has since been referred to the Shasha Police Division for investigation. Daniel said he had honoured the division’s invitation and written his statement.