A landlord and his associate have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command in connection with the death of a tenant, identified as Olayeni, in the Oriyangi area of Ibadan, the state capital.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, reportedly stemmed from a heated argument between the landlord and his tenant over unpaid rent. During the altercation, the landlord’s associate allegedly struck Olayeni, causing him to collapse.
Despite the swift arrival of emergency responders, the tenant was confirmed dead at the hospital.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Oyo State Command, Adewale Osifeso, issued a statement on Sunday, describing the incident as tragic.
The statement read in part: “On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, a tragic event in Ibadan’s Oriyangi area resulted in a tenant’s death after a dispute with his landlord over rent payments. During the altercation, the landlord’s associate allegedly struck the tenant, Olayeni, leading to his collapse.
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Emergency responders arrived promptly, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The suspects have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is underway. The Oyo State Police Command expresses condolences to the victim’s family and assures that justice will be served.”
The arrests have stirred fresh debate over the rising cost of house rent and frequent clashes between landlords and tenants in Nigeria’s urban centers. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to demand stronger government regulation of rental practices and affordable housing policies to prevent avoidable violence.
This is not the first time Ibadan has witnessed such a tragedy. In 2011, police arrested a landlord in the city’s Agbowo area for allegedly killing his tenant, Jelili Akande, during a dispute over a N300 electricity bill.
The Oyo State Police Command has assured the public that investigations into the latest case are ongoing and pledged that those found culpable will face the full weight of the law.
