The death of retired police officer Charles Atideka has sparked controversy, as his family challenges claims that he committed suicide after allegedly killing three people over a land dispute in Badagry, Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, with Charles accused of shooting two relatives, Richard and Latevi Atideka, and a third victim, Muji Onilude, from a neighbouring village.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the killings, stating that the retired officer took his own life by ingesting poison after committing the act.
However, Henry Atideka, the son of the deceased, refuted the police account.
He claimed his father was invited for questioning at the Badagry Police Station and collapsed before reaching the station.
“My father was preparing to visit the police station when he called me. A few hours later, I received a call that he had been admitted to the hospital after collapsing,” Henry explained.
He stated that his brother, John Atideka, visited the hospital and found their father in the intensive care unit, guarded by three police officers.
John left briefly but returned to find both his father and the officers gone. A nurse then informed him that Charles had passed away.
The family insists that stress and accusations contributed to Charles’ death, urging the police to conduct a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, the Medical Director of General Hospital Badagry, Dr Olatunde Bakare, confirmed that Charles was brought in unconscious and died a few hours later.
However, the hospital has not determined whether his death resulted from poisoning or other medical conditions.