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The Director of Anti-Arms Smuggling for the Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-SAFE) in Ogun State, Yomi Adetula, was brutally murdered by suspected assassins inside the Celestial Church of Christ in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area today.
According to a report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the attack occurred around 10 a.m. during a church service. Eyewitnesses said the assailants, armed with guns, hammers, and machetes, stormed the church and attacked Adetula.
“They first shot him, but the bullets didn’t penetrate,” a resident told FIJ. “Then they used weapons like a hammer and machete to kill him. From the way they acted, it was clear they were hired assassins.”
Adetula, who led So-SAFE’s Idiroko Unit, was a key witness in FIJ’s defense against a libel lawsuit filed by IBD Dende. The lawsuit stemmed from FIJ’s investigative report and documentary on smuggling operations in the region.
Recall in early 2024, investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo conducted an undercover investigation titled “Undercover As A Smuggler,” which implicated Ibrahim Egungbohun Dende, commonly known as IBD Dende, a Nigerian businessman and founder of IBD Hotels.
The report alleged that Dende was involved in the illegal importation of goods, including rice and firearms, facilitated by corrupt customs officials.
Following the publication, Dende filed a ₦500 million defamation lawsuit against Soyombo and the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
He also sought a court injunction to prevent further publications about him by Soyombo and FIJ.
However, the Federal High Court in Abuja denied this request, directing the claimant’s counsel to notify the defendants instead.
Subsequently, in September 2024, Dende sought to withdraw his defamation lawsuit. His legal team submitted a “Notice of Discontinuance” to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In response, FIJ’s counsel contested the withdrawal, arguing that since a defense had already been filed, Dende required the court’s permission to discontinue the suit. They requested the court dismiss the suit entirely to prevent potential re-filing.
