A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Charles Atideka, has allegedly taken own life, after he reportedly killed his three family members over a land dispute in Badagry, Lagos State.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday, stating that the 63-year-old former officer shot and killed two family members and another individual on Tuesday before allegedly ingesting poison.

According to report, the victims were Mr Richard Atideka and Mrs Latevi Atideka, both from the Yovoyan community, as well as Mr Muji Onilude from the neighbouring Gberefu community.

A survivor, Mr David Atideka, recounted the attack, which took place between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. at the Atideka compound.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the deaths, stating: “The suspect in the incident is dead. He killed three people and allegedly took poison after committing the act.

“He was subsequently rushed to hospital, where a doctor confirmed his death. His body and those of the victims have been deposited in the mortuary.”

However, the deceased’s son, Mr Henry Atideka, disputed the claim that his father had committed suicide.

He alleged that his father collapsed and died while on his way to the Badagry Police Station for questioning.

“When the police visited our community shortly after the incident, my father was invited to the station in Badagry for interrogation as the prime suspect,” Henry said.

“Around 8:30 a.m., my father prepared to go to the police station and called to inform me. But at about 12:30 p.m., someone called to say he had been admitted to General Hospital, Badagry, after collapsing and being rushed there.”

Henry further claimed that his brother, John Atideka, arrived at the hospital to find their father under police guard.

“John said my father was admitted to the intensive care unit, and he even paid for his admission and some medication. But when he returned at about 3:30 p.m., my father and the three policemen guarding him were nowhere to be found,” he added.

The family insists that medical records from General Hospital, Badagry, do not confirm suicide.

“The rise in his blood pressure, caused by the various accusations, was what killed him. My father was a respected member of the Badagry community. He didn’t kill anyone,” Henry insisted.

Meanwhile, the Medical Director of General Hospital, Badagry, Dr Olatunde Bakare, confirmed that Charles Atideka was brought to the hospital in the afternoon and died approximately three hours later.

“The hospital has not conducted any tests to determine the exact cause of death. We do not know whether the deceased committed suicide by ingesting something or if his death was due to a rise in blood pressure,” Bakare stated.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing to clarify the circumstances surrounding both the killings and the suspect’s death.