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Members of the Lotu community in Lagos, Nigeria, have taken to the streets to demand justice following the murder of their community chief, Fatai Jubril Asalu. Asalu was killed by suspected land grabbers after he called the police on men encroaching on his land. His family is calling for the state government and commissioner of police to intervene and bring the perpetrators to justice. Protesters, including youths, women, and the family members of the deceased, are urging the police and traditional rulers to find and arrest the suspects. They are also appealing to the Lagos State Governor for justice.
Following the brutal murder of a chief in Lotu town, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos state, the community members are protesting to demand justice.
Chief Fatai Jubril Asalu, the Baale of Lotu village in Museyo Town, Ibeju-Lekki, was killed on July 15, 2023 by suspected land grabbers after he reported their encroachment on his land to the Police.
The family of the deceased is calling for the involvement of the state government and commissioner of police, Idowu Ohunwuwa, in apprehending the culprits.
Last Saturday, Asalu’s family took to the streets to protest his killing, holding up signs with various messages.
Protesters included youths, women, the elderly, and other family members.
The slain chief’s widow, Ejiro, recounted the incident, stating that she was also assaulted while trying to protect her late husband from the 50 hoodlums who attacked their house.
Ejiro expressed the devastation that her husband’s gruesome murder has caused the family.
Chief Ademowo Otunniyi, the head of the Lotu family in Museyo, spoke to reporters, describing Asalu as a peace-loving and friendly person. He accused Chief Omotola Adeboyejo and others at large of intentionally murdering Asalu.
Otunniyi explained, “On that fateful day, the Baale of Lotu encountered some workers who had trespassed on his large plot of land. When he confronted them, they claimed to be acting on the orders of Chief Omotola Adeboyejo, a notorious land grabber who had been causing trouble in the community and had been reported to the Lagos State Taskforce Landgrabbing Office in Alausa on multiple occasions.
“Not looking for a confrontation, Asalu went to the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Alagbon-Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, accompanied by a team of police officers to make arrests.
“The situation seemed to have calmed down until Chief Adeboyejo suddenly appeared and chaos broke out.
“Adeboyejo allegedly drove to the neighborhood seeking revenge after being informed that some of his workers had been arrested on Asalu’s orders. He attacked Asalu with a charm and instructed some of his thugs to tie him up before shooting him in the nose, causing him to die on the spot in a pool of blood,” Otunniyi tearfully recalled.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident and stated that the police are now searching for the suspected killers.
Meanwhile, while the villagers protest the killing of Chief Asalu, one of the protesters appeared in a video urging the police and local traditional leaders to help locate and apprehend the fugitive suspects.
The protester said, “The king of Ibeju, please help us find the suspects. DPO Akodo, please find the suspect. This is the face of the killer. We live in a country with laws. We demand justice. Please save us. Let the suspect not kill us all. He has threatened to kill us all. The government should help us.
“We appeal strongly to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to ensure that justice is served. Those responsible for Jubril’s death must be caught. The matter must not be swept under the rug.”
