Family of slain 26-year-old man fears cover-up, seeks IG’s intervention

The family of Felix Nnadozie Jr., who was allegedly fatally beaten by six men in the Sibiri Ojo area of Lagos State, is urging the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.

Following a fight between Felix’s mother and her female neighbour, our correspondent learnt from the bereaved family that the deceased was allegedly gang-beaten with planks and stones by the six suspects on July 3, which ultimately led to his death on July 6, 2024.

They informed our correspondent that while the six male suspects were beating Felix on the head with planks and stones, the three children of the neighbour, who allegedly encouraged the attack, closed the house’s gate to prevent others from entering the compound.

In a telephone interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, the grieving father, Felix Nnadozie Sr., said some of the suspects in his son’s death had been released by the police because they were under 18, which he said led him to believe that the police were trying to cover up the case.

Nnadozie Snr recounted, “Two of them are sons of serving police officers. My wife was cooking when one of our neighbours came down to pour water on the cooking pot she was using.

“My wife asked them what gave them the effrontery to come to our apartment and pour water on her cooking pot. This led to a confrontation between the neighbour and my son, who was present during the argument.

“The woman brought out a knife, and my son was able to take the knife from her. We thought the problem was over until the next day when the daughter of the woman brought boys to the compound to beat my son. One of them held him down while the others were hitting him with planks and stones.”

According to the distraught father, Felix seemed alright after the incident until hours later when his head began to swell and he started complaining of excruciating pain.

He continued, “We took him to the hospital where the doctor told us that he had blood clots and that he was going to be referred to another hospital at Igando.

“When we got to the Ìgandò General Hospital, the hospital further referred us to another hospital in Ikeja. It was while we were going to the Ikeja hospital that we observed that he was no longer breathing. Two of the people who killed my son are the children of a police officer. This is why I suspect the police do not want to arrest them.”

The victim’s mother, Faith, who expressed shock over her son’s death, made a plea to well-meaning Nigerians to support the family in their quest for justice and make sure the perpetrators did not escape punishment.

She said, “It is very painful and sad. We went to Panti last Wednesday. After making a report, right there in the presence of these people who caused the death of my son, the police said they were likely to release them on that day.

“I could not believe it. The woman, her children, and the boys that they brought to the house to beat my son to death are all supposed to be answering some questions now. I want the governor to come to my aid.

“I appeal to well-meaning Nigerians to help me. The police are not doing enough to arrest the two prime suspects because they are sons of a police officer.

 “They have already released those who went to call them to beat my son because they said they are teenagers. Nobody can wish this kind of painful and gruesome death on anyone. Nigerians should fight for justice for me and my family.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Lagos, Aminat Mayegun, on Tuesday, directed our correspondent to speak with the state command’s public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, for details on the incident.

“Please contact PPRO Lagos. I’m certain that a diligent investigation will be conducted, ensuring impartiality,” Mayegun stated.

Hundeyin had not replied to our correspondent’s inquiries into the incident as of the time this report was filed.