New Year Tragedy: Former federal works controller murdered in Kwara

A retired Controller of Works from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, AbdulRazaq Ajani, met a tragic end on New Year’s Day in Ilorin, Kwara State.  

Ajani, who had just returned from celebrating Christmas in Offa, Kwara State, with his family, was reportedly attacked shortly after arriving at his home.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Dele Gege Street, Aderoju area, off Awolowo Road in the Tanke neighborhood of Ilorin.

Sources revealed that the assailants had been tracking Ajani and launched their attack as he arrived with his immediate family.

According to relatives, the attackers casually entered the compound moments after Ajani parked his vehicle, turning what should have been a peaceful homecoming into a scene of devastation.

Further investigations are underway, as family members and authorities seek answers regarding this heartbreaking incident.

The family member who craved anonymity said, “Four young men between 18 and 22 years old, arrived the area in unclear manner.

“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.

“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.

Former Federal works controller killed on New Year’s Day in Kwara

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“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.”

Vanguard Correspondent however gathered that the CCTV cameras on the main gate which would have clearly captured the assailants’ faces, unknown to victim and his family had been removed long before the Wednesday attack.

It was only the CCTV camera inside which was still there that was able to capture the scenarios as watched on the cameras.

According to sources, the late retired Controller had two wives and was with the younger wife and their children when the tragic incident occurred.

When this reporter arrived at the house after the incident, the police had evacuated the body and left.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kwara Police 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.”