A former controller of Works at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, AbdulRazaq Ajani, has been reportedly killed by yet-to-be-identified assailants in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Reports revealed that Ajani was tragically murdered on New Year’s Day at his residence, shortly after returning home from a trip to Offa, where he had celebrated the Christmas holiday with his family.
It was gathered that Ajani was attacked around 3 p.m. by the assailants who had tracked him to his home following the Christmas festivities on Dele Gege Street, located in the Aderoju area off Awolowo Road in the Tanke Area of Ilorin.
Vanguard quoted family members to have disclosed how the attackers entered Ajani’s compound shortly after he arrived with his immediate family.
A family member who wished to remain anonymous stated, “Four young men, estimated to be between 18 and 22 years old, approached the area in a suspicious manner.”
A review of CCTV footage revealed that two of the individuals were positioned beside the gate of Ajani’s residence, with one of them drinking water from a plastic bottle while the other two entered 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.
“Sensing danger, he attempted to run back and shut the door against his attackers, but it was too late. They rushed at him and blocked him from shutting the door.
“They appeared to be engaging him in a discussion before one of the attackers started axing him on the head. They axed him for more than ten times until he was suddenly seen lying face down on the ground.
“Their gruesome task accomplished, the assassins swiftly fled the scene before the howling 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 Policemen have visited the scene for investigation,” the family member disclosed.
It was, however, discovered that the surveillance cameras at the main entrance, which could have distinctly recorded the attackers’ faces, had been taken down long before the assault on Wednesday, unbeknownst to the victim and his family.
It was reported that the only the CCTV cameras indoors remain operational and can document the events as seen in the footage.
As per sources, the late retired Controller had two spouses and was with his younger wife and their children at the time of the unfortunate event.
Upon this reporter’s arrival at the residence following the incident, the police had already removed the body and departed.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Kwara Command, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, said, “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.”
