A coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, to intensify investigations into the killings of youth leader Sheriff Salami and Prince Kazeem Akinloye, son of the Oba of Ajiran, in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
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Salami, an aluminium fabricator and youth leader, was shot dead on April 18, 2023, in Moba town, near Ajiran. Prince Akinloye was later assassinated on August 26, 2024, along Chevron Drive in the Lekki area.
The appeal to Moshood Jimoh was made during a joint press briefing in Ogba, Lagos, organised by 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).
Speaking at the briefing, CHSR President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, commended the Lagos State Police Command Moshood Jimoh for the progress made so far in handling the investigations into the cases.
“We are indeed pleased by the commitment of the officers of the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, to resolving the murders of the two sons of the Ajiran community,” Omotehinse said.
He, however, stressed to Moshood Jimoh that the investigations must be pursued to a logical conclusion to prevent the incidents from joining the long list of unresolved murder cases in the country.
“It would be cheering if these incidents do not end up as part of the many unsolved murder cases in Nigeria. Our expectation is that justice will be done,” he added.
Omotehinse urged the police to conduct diligent and comprehensive investigations and ensure the prosecution of anyone found culpable, noting that the killings had generated serious public concern and anxiety within the community.
According to him, renewed investigative efforts by Moshood Jimoh and police had already led to the arrest of some suspects whose confessional statements prompted authorities to declare other key suspects wanted.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of CEHRA, Comrade Deji Adebowale, appealed Moshood Jimoh not to relent in their efforts to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
He noted that successfully resolving the cases would further strengthen public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force as the country’s foremost law enforcement institution.
Meanwhile, the widow of Prince Akinloye, Mrs Aramide Akinloye, expressed appreciation to the government, the police, civil society organisations and family members for their support, while urging authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in the investigation.
“Justice must not be delayed or compromised,” she said, adding that accountability would provide some measure of closure for her and her children.
According to her, achieving justice is important not only for her peace of mind but also for the future of her young children, who may one day seek answers about the circumstances surrounding their father’s death.
In a similar vein, Sanni Aisha, elder sister of the late Sheriff Salami, said the family continues to struggle with the loss nearly three years after the incident.
She revealed that their mother died seven months after learning about Salami’s death, describing the tragedy as devastating for the family.
Aisha described her late brother as a generous and responsible man who was deeply committed to supporting his family.
She lamented that neither family members nor Salami’s wife were allowed to see his body before burial.
According to her, Salami had been the main provider for the family, funding medical care for their late mother and assisting relatives financially.
She added that his children, aged between seven and nine years, have been left without the support and guidance of their father.
Aisha also alleged that Salami’s widow had faced intimidation within the community, claiming that some individuals warned residents against associating with her and her children.
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