In a chilling act of violence, a retired controller of works at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer AbdulRazaq Ajani, was gruesomely murdered in Ilorin, Kwara State, on New Year’s Day. The shocking incident occurred shortly after Ajani returned from a holiday visit to his hometown in Offa.
Ajani was reportedly trailed by his attackers from Offa to his residence at Dele Gege Street, Aderoju area, off Obafemi Awolowo Road in the Tanke area of Ilorin, where the horrific attack unfolded at about 3 p.m.
CCTV Captures Grim Scene
According to a family, CCTV footage revealed the chilling movements of the assailants. “Four young men, aged between 18 and 22, appeared at the residence. Two lingered outside the gate, while the other two casually walked into the compound. One was even seen sipping water from a plastic bottle,” the source said.
Ajani, alerted by their presence, reportedly rose from the ground-floor sitting room to meet the intruders at the main door. What started as a conversation suddenly turned fatal as the attackers overwhelmed him.
“They knocked him to the ground and, horrifyingly, began hacking him with what appeared to be small axes,” the family member recounted. His wife and children, who had just returned home with him, watched in terror as the attackers carried out their gruesome act before fleeing the scene.
A Horrific Aftermath
The aftermath of the attack left a gruesome scene in the retired engineer’s home. Bloodstains were splattered across the walls, and the floor bore horrifying evidence of the attack. Witnesses described how Ajani’s wife and children wailed uncontrollably, drawing the attention of neighbors, who quickly alerted the authorities.
One witness, visibly shaken, said, “If you visit his home, you will see the terrible evidence of what happened. His wife and children are inconsolable, and neighbors have been pouring in to sympathize.”
Ajani’s body was later evacuated by the police, who have since launched an investigation into the incident.
A Life Cut Short
Ajani, a celebrated civil engineer, retired from the Federal Ministry of Works four years ago but returned to serve on a contract basis in 2023. Neighbors described him as a kind and hardworking man, while his wife, known for running the popular Reo Cakes confectionery in Ilorin, was equally admired in the community.
Residents expressed shock and sorrow over the violent end met by the respected engineer. “This is a huge loss to us all. He was a peaceful man who contributed so much to his family and the community,” a neighbor said.
Police Investigation Underway
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the incident and launched an investigation. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, stated, “Yes, the incident happened. We have received reports of the murder and are actively investigating. No arrests have been made yet, but efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits.”
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and speculation abounds as to whether it was a case of targeted assassination or a robbery gone wrong.
A Community Mourns
As investigations continue, the community is left mourning a man whose life was brutally cut short. Family, friends, and neighbors have gathered at Ajani’s residence to console his grieving wife and children.
This tragic event casts a dark shadow over what was meant to be a joyful start to the New Year. The family and community now hope for swift justice and closure as the police intensify their efforts to bring the perpetrators to book.
