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Members of the Lotu community in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos state, are demanding justice following the murder of their chief, Fatai Jubril Asalu. Asalu was allegedly killed by suspected land grabbers after he reported their encroachment on his land to the police. His family and community members are calling on the state government and commissioner of police to bring the perpetrators to book. The family staged a protest, with participants including youths, women, and the elderly. The alleged killers, including Chief Omotola Adeboyejo, are currently at large. The police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, and the community is urging government intervention.
After the brutal murder of a chief in Lotu town, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos state, angry members of the community have taken to the streets to demand justice.
Chief Fatai Jubril Asalu, the Baale of Lotu village in Museyo Town, Ibeju-Lekki, was killed on July 15, 2023, allegedly by land grabbers. He had called the Police when he suspected some of their men were encroaching on his land.
His family is now calling for the state government and Commissioner of Police, Idowu Ohunwuwa, to intervene and bring the perpetrators to justice.
On Saturday, Asalu’s family protested the killing of their community chief, carrying placards with various messages.
The protesters included youths, women, the elderly, and the deceased’s family members.
During the protest, Asalu’s widow, Ejiro, talked about how she was assaulted while trying to protect her husband from over 50 hoodlums who attacked their house.
Ejiro expressed the family’s devastation following her husband’s gruesome murder.
Chief Ademowo Otunniyi, the Head of the Lotu family in Museyo, spoke to reporters about the late Asalu, describing him as a peace-loving and friendly person. Otunniyi accused Chief Omotola Adeboyejo and others, who are currently at large, of deliberately killing Asalu.
Otunniyi said, “On that fateful day, the Baale of Lotu encountered some workers who had encroached on his large expanse of land. When he confronted them, they claimed to be working under the orders of Chief Omotola Adeboyejo, a suspected land grabber who had been causing trouble in the community. Several petitions had been filed against him with the Lagos State Taskforce Landgrabbing Office in Alausa.”
“To avoid any confrontation, Asalu went to the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department within the police station. They arrived with him to make some arrests, and calm was restored. However, Chief Adeboyejo suddenly appeared and chaos ensued. He attacked Asalu with a charm, had his thugs tie him up, and then shot him in the nose, causing him to die on the spot,” Otunniyi recalled with tears.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident and stated that the police are actively searching for the suspected killers.
Meanwhile, one of the protesters, speaking through a megaphone in a video shared with the media, called on the police and other traditional leaders in the area to help locate and apprehend the suspects who fled the scene.
The protester pleaded, “The king of Ibeju, please help us find the suspects. DPO Akodo, please find the suspect. This is the face of the killer. We want justice. Please save us. Don’t let the suspect kill us all. He has threatened to kill us all. We appeal strongly to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to grant us justice. Those responsible for Jubril’s death must be caught. This matter must not be ignored.”
