Ex-Federal Works Controller Murdered On New Year’s Day

A retired controller of works at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, AbdulRazaq Ajani, was brutally murdered on New Year’s Day in Ilorin, shortly after returning from a trip to Offa, Kwara State.

Ajani, who spent the holiday in Offa, was reportedly followed to his home in the Tanke area of Ilorin by his assailants.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m. at Dele Gege Street, Aderoju area, off Obafemi Awolowo Road.

A family member who recounted the horrifying event to newsmen said, “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.

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“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.”

The immediate family members reportedly watched in horror as the assailants attacked Ajani.

“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,” another family member said.

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

Describing the aftermath, a witness added, “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.”

Ajani, a civil engineer who retired from the Federal Ministry of Works four years ago, recently accepted a contract appointment with the ministry.

Neighbours described him and his wife, a confectionery business owner, as kind and well-respected.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Kwara State, DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, confirmed the incident.

“Yes, the incident happened. 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 said, “No suspect has been arrested, but investigation has commenced.”