Nigerians are demanding justice for Oderinde Saheed, popularly known as "Seedorf," who was allegedly beaten and burned alive by a mob in the Ajia area of Ona-Ara Local Government Area, Ibadan, after being wrongly accused of being an internet fraudster, commonly referred to as a "Yahoo boy." The incident reportedly occurred on August 25 following a road accident involving Saheed's vehicle, which allegedly struck a pedestrian.
Mob Attack Following Road Accident
According to reports, witnesses and bystanders who gathered at the scene accused Saheed of being a "Yahoo boy" without any formal investigation or evidence. The mob allegedly assaulted him before setting both him and his vehicle on fire. Saheed died at the scene as a result of the attack.
Saheed's younger brother, who was in the vehicle with him at the time, was also assaulted during the incident. He reportedly sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalised, where he is said to be fighting for his life.
Online Campaign for Justice
In the days since the killing, the hashtag #JusticeForOderindeSaheed has circulated widely online, with Nigerians condemning the act as a case of jungle justice and calling for accountability. Campaign posts shared across social media have stressed that regardless of the circumstances surrounding an accident or dispute, no group has the right to act as judge, jury and executioner outside the law.
Activists and social media users have also called on the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a transparent investigation into the killing. The case adds to a long-running pattern of mob violence in Nigeria tied to unverified accusations, where accusations alone, without any formal evidence, have repeatedly led to fatal vigilante attacks on young men, particularly in cases involving car accidents, theft, or unfamiliar faces in a community.
Authorities Yet to Respond
As of publication, it remains unclear whether any arrests have been made in connection with Saheed's killing. Authorities have not issued an official statement addressing the case or confirming that an investigation is underway. The lack of official response has intensified public outcry, with many demanding swift action to ensure accountability and prevent further incidents of mob violence.
