A Civil Society Organisation, the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR), has called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to rev up investigation into the murder of Sheriff Ishola Salami, a youth leader of Ojomu Community in Ajiran Land, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, who was killed on Tuesday April 18, 2023.
The group in conjunction with Civil Society Stakeholders made the call on Tuesday in a statement signed by its President, Alex Omotehinse, saying that three months after the killing of Salami at Moba Town, the group and civil society stakeholders were seriously disturbed that the police were yet to demonstrate seriousness or convincing interest in the investigation of the murder.
According to CHSR: “The apparent non-chalant of the police authorities would however appear deliberate or orchestrated in spite of quests for justice by the immediate family of the deceased and concerned indigenes of the community.”
Omotehinse in the statement explained that the group received a copy of the petition dated May 8, 2023 and submitted to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force, Zonal Command Headquarters, Zone II, Onikan, Lagos State on the situation in Ojomu community including a request for the probe into the murder of Salami who was a son of late Bashorun of Ajiran Land, Chief Ishola Salami.
“The said petition was forwarded on behalf of Ajiran Youth Movement by a solicitor: Omoyola and Co. In spite of quest for justice anchored on the statutory duty of the police, members of the immediate family of the deceased, Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami are totally broken by the apparent lack of commitment to bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.
“The immediate family of the deceased comprising his critically ill; aged mother, his wife Mrs Mariam Ishola Salami and three young daughters, Sinata (5years plus), Ayisha (4 years), and Arafat (2 years) are yet to be consoled that justice would be done to the memory of their loved breadwinner.
“The family of the deceased has been left to mourn their beloved son, husband and father without any glimmer of hope of getting justice since the law enforcement agencies; particularly the police charged with the responsibility of protection and conducting criminal investigation, have not been forthcoming.
“The concerned indigenes of Ojomu community and the immediate family of the deceased are therefore demanding diligent investigation that would lead to the unraveling of the masterminds and accomplices in the cold-blooded murder of Mr Sheriff Ishola Salami whose photograph is displayed on the banner for this press conference.”
