Human Rights Coalition Calls for Diligent Prosecution in Ajiranland Murder Cases
A coalition of prominent human rights organizations has issued a strong appeal to the Lagos State Police Command, urging them to sustain their efforts and ensure that justice is served in the ongoing investigations into two separate murder cases that occurred in Ajiranland, located within the Eti-Osa Local Council Area of Lagos State. The groups, which include 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 this call during a press briefing held in Lagos.
Details of the Murders and Police Actions
The victims in these tragic incidents are Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye. Salami was killed on April 18, 2023, in Moba town, which is adjacent to the Ajiran community, while Akinloye was murdered on August 26, 2024, along Chevron Drive in Lekki. Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Comrade Alex Omosehinde, President of CHSR, emphasized that this briefing follows earlier demands for a thorough police investigation and diligent prosecution of those responsible.
Omosehinde highlighted that the Lagos State Police Command, under the immediate past Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, had made significant progress. He noted, "We were pleased that the police apprehended some suspects and declared the masterminds wanted at a press briefing held on Thursday, February 19, 2026." He further added that it is reassuring that the prime suspect has been apprehended in Cotonou, Benin Republic, by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) on April 15, 2026, and is currently being held in custody at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Nigeria Police in Onikan, Lagos.
Call for Justice and Media Vigilance
The coalition stressed that it would be in the overriding interest of justice if those found culpable of perpetrating, as well as aiding and abetting the murders of Salami and Prince Akinloye, are made to face prosecution in the law court following the conclusion of diligent investigations. Omosehinde stated, "We maintain that justice must be seen to have been done in these cases, which have caused immense distress to the victims' families." He commended the media for their sustained attention to the matter since 2023, noting that this briefing is part of ongoing civil society efforts to defend victims of human rights abuses and promote justice.
However, Omosehinde also raised concerns about what he described as deliberate and self-serving antics by certain individuals masquerading as genuine civil society stakeholders. He warned, "These individuals aim to pervert justice through unfounded and misleading campaigns and aspersions against the police authority in the state." He pointed out that these individuals appear ruffled and disgruntled by the arrests of suspects, particularly the determination of the Lagos State Police Command in apprehending Alhaji Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, whom prima facie evidence has already established as the architect of the multiple murder incidents.
Suspects in Custody and Constitutional Responsibilities
Prior to the arrest of the prime suspect, Alhaji Tajudeen Ahmed Akanbi, other suspects already in the custody of the Lagos State Police Command include Safiu Fatai, also known as Fabo (40), and Yusuf Ismaila, also known as Bariga. According to the police, these individuals were apprehended on January 24, 2026, and February 6, 2026, respectively, following renewed investigations into the murder incidents.
Omosehinde concluded by stating that the coalition considers it necessary to alert the media to what it described as ill-motivated campaigns aimed at undermining legitimate police investigations. He reinforced that investigating criminal incidents remains the constitutional responsibility of the police, and any attempts to obstruct this process should be met with scrutiny and resistance from all stakeholders committed to upholding justice and human rights in Nigeria.
