Family members of the Baale of Lootu community, Chief Fatai Jubril, who was murdered in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State on July 15 over a land dispute, have demanded justice for their slain loved one.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident in an interview with last Tuesday and said the police had launched a manhunt for the suspected killers.
But during our correspondent’s visit to the community on Saturday, family members and residents narrated how the killing was carried out and demanded justice.
The slain chief’s widow, Ejiro, said she was assaulted while struggling to save him from the over 50 hoodlums whom she claimed invaded their residence.
The nursing mother regretted that no arrest had been made since the killing.
She said, “I begged them to spare my husband. They started beating me when I held on to my husband. They said my husband and I were going to die together. I was slapped by different people when I was trying to protect my husband because the beating was too much.
“There were too many of them. Over 50 hefty men were dragging my husband to the bush. I told them I would follow them wherever they take my husband. Then the person who led them hit me with his leg which sent me off balance.
“My husband was crying and I was also crying. Then he hit the butt of the gun on the ground three times and then fired the shot at my husband.
“Government should help me. My husband must not die like that. Since the incident, no single arrest has been made. This should not be swept under the carpet. Let Nigerians help me.”
While calling for a speedy investigation, the deceased’s elder brother, Moshood, said the police had interviewed those who were present at the scene, including the widow and the deceased’s 14-year-old daughter and wondered why no arrest had been made.
He said, “They killed my brother right in front of his daughter and his wife. They took the body to Akodo Police Station where we met with the DPO, IPO and others. They took statements from the people who witnessed the killing. After that, we carried his body to the morgue at the Epe General Hospital.
“They called us to come to Panti to see the CP. I took the widow and the child who witnessed it along. They came on Wednesday for their investigation. But since then, nothing has been done. Some residents have seen these people come to the community at night. We have informed the Akodo Police Station about this but nothing has been done.”
The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area “J” Elomoro in whose jurisdiction Akodo Divisional Headquarters fall, Agboola Olajide, told our correspondent on Sunday that he could not comment on the incident, urging to contact the PPRO.
“It is the PPRO who can give you all the details. He should be able to give you the full details of what the police are doing on the matter. I won’t be able to talk to you,” Olajide said.
Contacted, Hundeyin directed our correspondent to send a text message.
He had yet to respond to our correspondent message as of the time this report was filed on Sunday.
But confirming the killing last week, he had said the prime suspect and his accomplices had fled their homes and that the investigation had commenced towards their arrest.
