The Centre for Human and Social-Economic Rights (CHSR) and residents of Ojomu community in Lagos State are demanding justice over the murder of Akinloye, Sateru II. Prince Akinloye who was killed by gunmen in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
Akinloye was murdered on Monday, August 26, 2024, near Chevron Drive along the Lekki axis.
Reports indicate that the deceased was ambushed by assailants who shot and attacked him with machetes, leading to his death.
Speaking with journalists at the Ikoyi Cemetery in Obalende shortly after the internment of the deceased, CHSR President Comrade Alex Omotehinse highlighted the need for a thorough police investigation to determine the motive behind the murder.
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He emphasized that the nature of Akinloye’s death mirrors the pattern of the gruesome murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami, who was killed in MOBA town adjacent to Ajiran on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Omotehinse stated, “It is in the public interest for the police to prioritize the investigation of the assassination of Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye and the earlier incident involving Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami.
This is crucial to ascertain the immediate and remote causes, considering the concerns and fears among the native inhabitants and residents of Ojomu community in Ajiran land.
“It must be reiterated that the killers of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami have yet to be investigated, apprehended, and brought to justice 16 months after the incident.
Despite efforts by the family, the leadership of Ojomu community, and our organization to prompt the police to investigate and uncover the circumstances surrounding the assassination, there has been a deliberate attempt by the police authorities in Lagos to cover it up.
“Recall that in our previous press briefings on the death of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami, we alerted the police and the Lagos State Government of the grave implications of allowing murderers to escape justice through indifference or complicity.
Murderers are emboldened by the state’s failure to ensure that victims receive justice. We are therefore compelled to ask: What are the police and the Lagos State Government up to this time?”
Omotehinse described the assassination of Prince Akinloye as callous, wanton, and unacceptable in a society governed by the rule of law.
“We wish to reassert our earlier position that no citizen should be subjected to double jeopardy as a victim of senseless killings by individuals who consider themselves untouchable or too connected to be apprehended and brought to justice by law enforcement agencies.
“We demand prompt and transparent investigations into the assassination of Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye. It is high time the police explained why they have not investigated the murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami 16 months after the incident.
We call on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to openly condemn the assassination of Prince Akinloye and order a full investigation by officers of high integrity who cannot be compromised.”
A friend of the deceased, Mr. Dayo Joshua, expressed shock over Akinloye’s brutal murder, stating that there is palpable fear in the area as no one feels safe, given the manner in which Akinloye was killed.
“Demola was a PhD holder, a technocrat, and a farmer. One of the things he did for us during these hard times was selling eggs to the community at a controlled price.
While others were selling a crate of eggs at N5,000, Demola still sold at N2,700. Why was he the one to be taken from us like this?
“I don’t know what will happen next, but my appeal is that this must not go unpunished. Clearly, the entire community is in a state of danger.
It was Demola today; nobody knows who it will be tomorrow. Yesterday, it was Sheriff, and absolutely nothing has been done to date.”
and then