Bring my son’s killers to justice, widow begs Ambode, Police

A widow, Mrs. Bridget Chiwokwu has appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal to apprehend those who killed her son and bring them to justice.

Her son, Sylvester, a footballer, was shot by suspected cultists at Alapere who also used axes and cutlasses to murder him.

According to the woman, her son was a victim of the murderous group, whose angst against him was that he dressed well and refused to join them.

Narrating how he was killed, the widow said he had gone to visit his sister at Alapere, adding that he was on a motorcycle back to Ikorodu when he was shot.

She said: “I was not there but I was told by a witness that when my son was on Okada, he was shot in the hand. He fell and as he was struggling to stand, one of the gunmen who were in a Toyota Camry car ordered him to stay on the ground or he would be killed.

“As he was struggling in pains, he asked what his offence was and one of them, Femi, said he was always dressing well and has refused to associate with their group. Another one queried him for asking questions and commended the men to finish him up.

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“He was stabbed several times. One of them used axe on him. He was shouting for help but no one came to his rescue.”

Continuing, the widow said her son was based in Abuja and was preparing to travel abroad with the help of his elder brother who was making plans to link him up with a football club.

“He just came in few months ago to help me in some projects. On that day, he had gone to see his sister who stayed in Alapere.  As he arrived her house, my daughter told him to go back to Ikorodu because cult groups were fighting and shooting guns.

“He adhered and boarded Okada to leave the area. One of his friends called him on phone and told him to come over to his place from where he intended to leave for Ikorodu. It was on the way to his friend’s that he met his untimely death.

“I am pained because his father died a long time ago. My children and I suffered to bring them up. We hawked together to raise money to train them in school. He has finished his studies and has taken to soccer. His brother has perfected plans to put him in a club.

“My son used to complain that each time he went to see his elder sister, Femi and his group used to tell him that he was proud. That because he has been blessed he did not want to assist them. We used to stay at Alapere before my first son managed to build a house for me in Ikorodu.

“I learnt that the police seized the vehicle they used in the operation and parked it at Thomas Police Station, off Owede Onirin. I learnt the owner of the vehicle has been coming to claim it.

“I am calling on Governor Ambode and CP Edgal to wade into the matter and bring the killers to justice. I want to know those who killed my son and why they butchered him like a common criminal.

“I want to know if he took something from them. My heart is burning like fire. I am finished because Sylvester was a loving child. He was a special person who kept people happy. There was never a dull moment with him. If I had the premonition, I would not have allowed come from Abuja.”

A friend of the desist who refused to be named said he was not a cultist, adding that he was killed for not paying homage to the bad boys.

He said the cult groups usually stayed at beer parlours looking for people to buy drinks and peppersoup for them and anyone who refused becomes their enemy.

“They have relocated to Ikorodu but Sylvester used to come to Alapere to visit his sister who lives here with her husband.

“The police killed two of the suspects. Through one of them, the police would be able to trace others. They have been killing people for long. This should  be the last killing. Let the police do their job and fish out the killers.”

Confirming the incident, spokesman for the command Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) said investigation was ongoing to ascertain the owner of the vehicle.

He said: “We are aware of the killing. When our men received a distress that a man was shot, they gave the vehicle a hot chase and one of the suspects was shot dead while others escaped with bullet wounds.

“We have recovered the operational vehicle which is at Thomas Police Station. The vehicle has no number plate. We are trying to know who owns the car and under the circumstances the car reached the hands of the hoodlums.

“I want to assure that as usual, we will get the killers. We will do justice to the matter. We are investigating and we will do it to a logical conclusion.”