Retired Federal Works Controller Murdered In Kwara On New Year’s Day

A retired controller of works at 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.

Ajani was reportedly trailed by his assailants from Offa to his residence at Dele Gege Street, Aderoju area, off Obafemi Awolowo Road in Tanke, Ilorin. The attack occurred around 3 p.m.

According to family members who spoke with Punch correspondent, the attackers, believed to be young men aged 18 to 22, entered Ajani’s compound moments after he arrived with his family.

CCTV footage reviewed later showed two of the assailants standing by the gate, one sipping from a plastic bottle, while the other two casually walked into the compound.

“Four young men between 18 and 22 years old, it was not clear how the assassins arrived in the area.

“A review of CCTV camera recordings showed two of them standing beside the gate of Mr Ajani’s residence, one of them sipping water from a plastic bottle, while the two others strolled into the compound.

“On noticing the young men from one of the two sitting rooms on the ground floor of the one-storey duplex building, the retired federal officer reportedly rose to meet them at the main door.

“They appeared to be engaging him in a discussion until he was suddenly lying face down on the ground,” said one of the family members describing what he saw on the CCTV.

Witnesses described the aftermath as gruesome, with bloodstains on the walls and evidence of severe trauma.

“Their gruesome task accomplished, the assassins swiftly fled the scene before the howlings of the family members drew the attention of neighbours.

“The late engineer was attacked and hacked to death in the presence of his wife and children immediately on arrival from Offa where he went for the Christmas and new year break.

“If you get to his house, there are blood stains on the walls while his brain is also scattered on the floor.

“Many people have besieged the residence of the man sympathizing with the wife and the children while a team of Police men have visited the scene for investigation,” the witnesses said

The police were promptly informed, and officers from the Kwara State Police Command visited the scene.

Speaking on the incident, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun confirmed the attack, stating: “Yes, the incident happened. I can confirm to you that there was a report that a retired controller of works was killed in Tanke area yesterday. Police have waded into the incident and have commenced investigation on it.”

When asked about arrests, the PPRO stated that no suspects had been apprehended, but investigations were ongoing.