A Department of State Services (DSS) officer has allegedly shot and killed a member of the Oyo State Bodybuilders and Bouncers Association at Ilaji Farm.
The officer, who was reportedly accompanying the owner of the farm, is said to have opened fire on the bouncer during an altercation, resulting in the tragic loss of life.
According to an eye-witness statement provided by the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Body Builders and Bouncers Association, Mr. Ilesanmi Osideko, a DSS officer tragically shot and killed one of their members, Mr. Soji, during a fracas at Ilaji Farm which took place on Saturday 29th of June, 2024 at about 11:30pm.
Osideko stated that prior to the incident, there had been a directive issued prohibiting the entry of firearms and other weapons into the event hall. However, despite this, the DSS officer refused to comply with the instructions provided by Mr. Soji, a bouncer, at the entrance.
“I was informed that there was an instruction prohibiting the entry of firearms and other weapons into the event hall. Mr. Soji, a bouncer, relayed this instruction to the DSS officer at the entrance, but the officer refused to comply. The situation escalated when the DSS officer cocked his gun, causing everyone to run. Mr. Soji was stopped by the barricades and fell. The DSS officer moved closer and shot him at close range while he was on the ground. Although Mr. Soji was rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead. The DSS officer, upon realizing he had killed Mr. Soji, shot himself in the foot to fabricate a story.”, Osideko wrote.
Osideko went on to divulge that the owner of Ilaji Farm played a critical role in ensuring the officer was apprehended, leading to the arrest of the DSS officer by order of the Commissioner of Police. Mr. Soji’s body has been taken to Ona Ara Hospital, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
“The owner of Ilaji Farm assisted in ensuring the officer was apprehended. The DSS officer has been arrested by order of the Commissioner of Police, and Mr. Soji’s body has been taken to Ona Ara Hospital.”, he added.
In an update on the situation, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Body Builders and Bouncers Association, Mr. Ilesanmi Osideko, shared that on Tuesday morning, the association, together with Soji’s family, met with the Commissioner of Police and other officials at the State CID and Eleyele headquarters to convey their demand for justice.
The DC and Commissioner of Police inquired about their demands, to which the association and Soji’s family reiterated their request for justice.
“This morning, we, along with Soji’s family, visited the state CID as directed by the CP. Later, we went to Eleyele headquarters to meet with the Commissioner of Police and the DC.
“They inquired about our demands, and we stated that we want justice. We then returned to Iyaganku.
“At Iyaganku, the DSS met with the chairman, other association members, and Soji’s family. They expressed their condolences to Soji’s family and asked for their demands. The family reiterated their call for justice, and the DSS assured them that justice would be served, with the involved officers being investigated and tried.
“Soji’s family’s lawyer is also preparing to write a petition to the Director of DSS in Abuja. An autopsy on Soji will be conducted this week to initiate the case.”
Despite the association’s demands for justice and the DSS officer’s arrest, no official statement has been issued by the Department of State Services in response to this tragic incident.
