Family faults release of Lagos chief’s suspected killer

• Deceased’s brother Moshood receives information from community members about the prime suspect’s presence in the area
• Moshood urges police to ensure a thorough investigation and avoid neglecting the case
  

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Relatives of Fatai Jubril, the Baale of Lotu Town in Lagos State’s Ibeju Lekki area, express concerns regarding the release of the main suspect allegedly responsible for his shooting death during a land dispute on July 15, 2023. The prime suspect reportedly killed the Lagos chief in front of his wife and teenage daughter.

The incident was confirmed by Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, who stated that a manhunt was initiated to apprehend the suspected perpetrators.

Ejiro, the widow of the deceased chief, recounted being assaulted while attempting to protect her husband from a group of more than 50 hoodlums who had invaded their residence.

Speaking to our correspondent, Moshood, the brother of the deceased, revealed that community members informed him about spotting the prime suspect in the area. He urged the police to ensure that the case is thoroughly investigated and not overlooked. The family is worried that justice may not be served.

Moshood said, “Residents are saying that this man (the prime suspect) is free, but the police said he was in custody.

“How will the wife who witnessed the suspect kill her husband feel if they see each other in the community? What about the child who saw her father murdered? I am just begging the police to help us get justice.”

The spokesperson of the Zone 2 Command, Hauwa Idris-Adamu on Thursday, confirmed that the prime suspect had been released on bail.

Idris-Adamu, however, said the investigation into the murder case had not stopped at any time.

She said, “At the moment, he (the suspect) was arrested and released. The investigation revealed that the deceased Baale brought his boys and the suspect brought his boys. So, an investigation is ongoing to ascertain whose rifle killed the deceased victim.

“The investigation has never stopped. It is still ongoing. They will still need to take the case down to the DPP to establish a murder case.”

During a visit to the deceased’s residence. his widow also claimed that the prime suspect shot her husband in her presence.

“Then the person who led them hit me with his leg, which sent me off balance. And shot my husband right there in my presence. My husband’s teenage daughter was also there when the suspect shot him.”