Photo: Members of the Rights group at briefing
By Mandy Park
A coalition of human rights organisations has called on the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Police Command to intensify investigations into the killings of two indigenes of Ajiranland, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The victims, Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye, were murdered in separate incidents that occurred in April 2023 and August 2024, respectively, sparking outrage within the Ajiran community and among civil society groups.
The coalition—comprising the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), the Centre for Economic and Human Rights Advancement (CEHRA), and the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA)—made the demand during a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the group, President of CHSR, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, said their intervention was driven by the need to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
He explained that Salami was killed on April 18, 2023, in Moba Town, near Ajiran, while Akinloye was murdered on August 26, 2024, along Chevron Drive in Lekki—an area known for its high traffic and growing commercial activity.
Omotehinse noted that the coalition had consistently engaged law enforcement authorities and the public on the need for a thorough and transparent investigation into the cases.
He recalled that the group last addressed the media in February 2026, when the police confirmed the arrest of some suspects and declared others wanted.
Commending the Lagos State Police Command under the immediate past Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, the coalition acknowledged progress made so far, particularly the apprehension of a prime suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested on April 15, 2026, in Cotonou, Benin Republic, through the collaboration of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), and has since been transferred to the Zone 2 Police Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.
“It is encouraging that significant steps have been taken, including the arrest of key suspects. This demonstrates the commitment of the police to ensuring that justice is served,” Omotehinse said.
He, however, stressed that the investigation must be pursued to its logical conclusion, with all perpetrators brought to book in accordance with the law.
The coalition also raised concerns over what it described as attempts by certain individuals to obstruct justice through misinformation and undue interference in the investigative process.
Omotehinse warned against campaigns aimed at discrediting the police or shielding suspects, insisting that such actions undermine the rule of law and the rights of victims.
“It is the constitutional responsibility of the police to investigate criminal matters. Any attempt to frustrate this process, including through frivolous court orders or misleading narratives, should be resisted,” he said.
The group urged the media to exercise caution and verify information before publication, noting that inaccurate reporting could jeopardise ongoing investigations.
It also called on the current Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, to sustain the momentum and ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
In addition, the coalition commended Jimoh, now Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, for his leadership during the earlier stages of the investigation.
Beyond the investigation, the group appealed to the police to strengthen security presence in Ajiran and surrounding communities, amid lingering fears among residents.
They expressed optimism that a diligent prosecution of the cases would not only deliver justice to the victims but also reinforce public confidence in the nation’s criminal justice system.
“Our primary interest remains justice for the victims and their families, as well as the preservation of public trust in law enforcement institutions,” Omotehinse said.
