A retired Controller of Works from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, AbdulRazaq Ajani, was tragically killed in Ilorin, Kwara State, on New Year’s Day, shortly after returning from a trip to Offa, where he had spent the Christmas and New Year holidays with his family.
Gists9ja understands that the attack, which occurred around 3 p.m., took place at Ajani’s residence on Dele Gege Street, Aderoju area, off Obafemi Awolowo Road in Tanke. According to family accounts, Ajani’s assailants reportedly trailed him from Offa to his home, where they executed the gruesome act.
Attack Details
CCTV footage captured moments before the attack revealed four young men, believed to be aged between 18 and 22. Two of the suspects stood by the gate of Ajani’s compound, one casually sipping from a plastic bottle, while the other two entered the premises.
Eyewitnesses said that Ajani noticed the strangers from one of the ground floor sitting rooms of his duplex. He reportedly approached them at the main entrance, engaging in what appeared to be a conversation before the situation turned fatal. Moments later, the retired official was found lying face down, having suffered a brutal attack.
Witnesses and family members described the aftermath as horrifying. Bloodstains marked the walls, and the severe injuries inflicted left a grim scene that has left the family and community in shock.
A Violent End
Ajani was reportedly hacked to death in the presence of his wife and children, who had just returned with him from Offa. Witnesses at the scene said his injuries were severe, with signs of significant trauma and blood pooling on the floor.
“The assassins accomplished their gruesome task and fled the scene before the cries of family members alerted neighbors,” a witness recounted.
Sympathizers have since flocked to Ajani’s residence to console the bereaved family. Meanwhile, officers from the Kwara State Police Command were called to the scene to begin an investigation.
Police Response
DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the incident, stating, “Yes, the incident happened. There was a report that a retired Controller of Works was killed in the Tanke area yesterday. Police have commenced investigations into the matter.”
While no arrests have been made yet, the police assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits.
Community in Mourning
The shocking murder of AbdulRazaq Ajani has left the Ilorin community reeling. Many have questioned the motive behind such a calculated and brutal attack. Residents are calling for swift justice and improved security measures in the area.
Ajani’s tragic death underscores the growing concerns about safety and insecurity in the region, especially for high-profile individuals. As investigations continue, the community hopes for justice for the late engineer and his grieving family.