Photo: Stakeholders at the Press briefing
By: Daniel Kanu
Human rights organisations: The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), Economic and Human Rights Advancement (CEHRA), Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), today, Wednesday, 25th February, in Lagos have commended the Lagos State Police Command for renewed progress in the investigation into the murders of two indigenes of Ajiran community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
At a joint press conference CHSR, alongside others expressed cautious optimism over recent arrests and the declaration of key suspects wanted in connection with the killings of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye.
The briefing, in a statement jointly signed and addressed by CHSR President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse; National Coordinator of the Centre for Economic and Human Rights Advancement (CEHRA), Comrade Deji Adebowale; and Executive Director of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, focused on the ongoing police investigation into the two separate murder cases.
Comrade Festus Ojetun, (HURMA), Sina Odugbemi (Democracy Volunteers), Comrade Funmi Jolade Ajayi, (Community Women Initiatives), Comrade Shina Loremikan (Campaign Against Impunity), Ajoke Sanni (Late Sheriff sister) and Mrs Ademola Akinloye (Widow of Prince Akinloye) among others were present at the briefing.
The rights groups recalled that Salami, a youth leader in Ojomu community, was gruesomely murdered on April 18, 2023, at Moba town adjacent to Ajiran.
The coalition had subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the National Human Rights Commission and the Lagos State Governor, demanding a thorough probe into the killing.
Barely a year later, on August 26, 2024, Prince Akinloye, son of the traditional ruler of Ajiran land, was assassinated in broad daylight along Chevron Drive in the Lekki axis of Lagos State.
The coalition noted that their interventions in the Ajiran crisis began following petitions over alleged land-grabbing activities and complaints from the royal family, including the palace of His Royal Highness, Oba Akinloye Tijani Sateru II.
The groups referenced a recent media briefing by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, in which he disclosed that renewed investigations had led to the arrest of two principal suspects — Safiu Fatai, also known as Fabo, 40, and Yusuf Ismaila, also known as Bariga — on January 24 and February 6, 2026, respectively.
According to the coalition, the police commissioner also announced that other prime suspects, including Alhaji Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, had been declared wanted based on prima facie evidence.
While commending the Commissioner and his team, the groups also praised the out- going Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for giving the cases the necessary attention.
The coalition urged the police to remain diligent and uncompromising in ensuring that all those found culpable are prosecuted.
They said the resolution of the murder cases would further entrench public confidence in the police as the foremost law enforcement institution in Nigeria and serve as a deterrent to criminal elements.
The groups also called for adequate security deployment within and around Ajiran community to reassure residents amid heightened public anxiety over the killings.
The rights advocates appealed to journalists to remain steadfast in demanding transparency, diligent investigation and justice for the deceased and their families.
They cautioned against what they described as distractions, denials and dubious narratives aimed at undermining the efforts of the police, stressing that it is the collective responsibility of civil society and the media to ensure that justice is ultimately served.
The coalition expressed hope that the ongoing investigation would be concluded conclusively and that the truth would prevail in the interest of public good.
