Lagos community is in uproar following death of chief

On July 15, 2023, Chief Fatai Jubril was allegedly killed by suspected land speculators. The residents of Lotu Town in the Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State have taken to the streets to demand justice.

On Saturday, protesters—including young people, women, seniors, and relatives of the deceased victims—held placards with various messages and demanded the intervention of Idowu Ohunwuwa, the commissioner of police, in the case.

The chief was killed by suspected land speculators, according to the family members and locals. Ejiro, the slain chief’s widow, claimed that while she was attempting to protect her late husband from the over 50 thugs, she was also assaulted.

In an interview with PUNCH Metro last Tuesday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the state police’s public relations officer, confirmed the incident and said that a manhunt had been started by the police for the alleged assassins.

Residents of Ibeju Land took to the streets following several days in which there had been little progress in the investigation due to what they claimed was a fear of a cover-up in order to request the help of the traditional ruler of Ibeju Land in order to assist the locals and the police in locating the murder suspects.

The demonstrators in a video pleaded with local traditional leaders and law enforcement to assist in locating and apprehending the suspects who had run away.

The demonstrator cried out, “The king of Ibeju, please assist us in finding the suspects. Identify the suspect, DPO Akodo. The murderer has a face like this. In this nation, there are various laws. Justice is something we seek. Rescue us, please. We must not all be killed by the suspect. He’s made death threats against all of us. We need assistance from the government.

“Babaajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, is urged to grant us justice. It’s important to find the person or people who killed Jubril. It is not acceptable to brush the issue under the rug.

When our correspondent called the state PPRO on Sunday to inquire about the investigation’s status, Benjamin Hundeyin’s phone was busy and he was unable to take the call.