A former Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Culture, Sports, and Social Development, Sir Kayode Otitoju, has narrated how he was allegedly abducted and unlawfully detained by operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, commonly known as Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI).
Otitoju claimed that the ordeal was masterminded by a director at the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Jimmy Odukoya, who handed him over to KAI officials shortly after church service on Sunday, June 15.
In a statement, Otitoju described the experience as “humiliating” and linked it to a land dispute, calling it an act of intimidation and abuse of power.
According to him, the incident occurred around 11:00 a.m., shortly after attending 8:00 a.m. Mass at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
“I was kidnapped in broad daylight by Jimmy Odukoya along Lekki Farms Avenue,” Otitoju alleged. “He came in a LAGRIDE vehicle with a lady, accompanied by a KAI truck that resembled a Black Maria and four KAI officers.”
Otitoju, a septuagenarian and former chairman of Lekki Phase 1 Residents’ Association, said he was lured to the location by a deceptive text message from a LAWMA manager, Mrs. Musa Omotola. On arrival, he was allegedly surrounded, forced into the task force vehicle, and had his Samsung phone confiscated.
“They drove me straight to the KAI headquarters in Oshodi, where I was handed over to their Commandant—along with my phone,” he said. “The Commandant was specifically instructed not to allow me access to my phone.”
Within 30 minutes of his detention, Otitoju claimed he was summoned, asked to stand against the office wall, and photographed.
“That photo—clearly meant to shame me—was sent immediately to the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, possibly for circulation on social media and in newspapers,” he alleged.
Otitoju linked the incident to a report published by The Nation on May 14, 2025 (Page 29), in which he had referred to Mr. Odukoya as a “land grabber.” He believes the KAI operation was a retaliatory move aimed at silencing him over the ongoing land dispute.
“How can a 70-year-old man in church clothes, with no tools, be accused of vandalizing infrastructure?” he asked. “The allegation is both absurd and malicious.”
He further alleged that both Odukoya and LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, orchestrated the incident to discredit him, especially after he filed a petition with the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos.
“Knowing the police invitation would be served on Monday, they abducted me on Sunday to keep me out of circulation and tarnish my image with false charges,” he said.
The matter is now before a Magistrate Court in Oshodi.
Otitoju said he was held incommunicado throughout his detention and denied access to family and legal counsel. He only regained his phone around 5:30 p.m. on Monday when he was granted bail.
“This was a clear case of intimidation,” he said. “But I trust the court process will expose the truth.”
He urged the Lagos State Government to launch a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
“The gangsterism displayed by Jimmy Odukoya and Dr. Gbadegesin has no place in public service,” he said. “It’s unfortunate if Commissioner Wahab was misled into endorsing such acts by amplifying them on social media.”
Efforts to reach Mr. Odukoya, Dr. Gbadegesin, and Commissioner Wahab for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
Legal and civil rights groups are closely monitoring the case, which raises serious concerns about the misuse of state agencies for personal vendettas.
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