As Nigeria marks the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, a human rights organisation has reignited calls for justice in one of the movement’s most harrowing episodes, the brutal killing of two police officers in Oyo State.
On October 8, 2020, Sergeant Adegoke Ajibola and Corporal Rotimi Oladele were deployed to help restore order during the nationwide protests against police brutality. Instead, they became victims of a mob attack that shocked the nation.
The officers were ambushed, killed, set ablaze, and, in a horrifying twist, cannibalised. Viral footage from the scene showed individuals mutilating their remains and collecting body parts in containers, a crime described by many as a desecration of humanity.
Today, Mr Dandy Eze, National President of Paths of Peace Initiatives, issued a public statement urging the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to take decisive action.
“These men were fathers, brothers, protectors. They died in service to a nation that now owes them justice,” Eze said. “Their families have waited in anguish, while the case has languished in uncertainty. Arrests were made, suspects were arraigned, and yet, five years later, there has been no trial, no closure, and reports suggest some suspects have even been released.”
Eze’s statement underscores a broader concern about the slow pace of justice in Nigeria’s legal system. He called on the judiciary and all relevant authorities to prioritise the case, citing the availability of footage, testimonies, and investigative reports that point to a crime demanding resolution.
“We cannot allow this atrocity to fade into obscurity,” Eze declared. “Justice delayed is justice denied, not only for Sgt. Ajibola and Cpl. Oladele, but for every citizen who believes in the rule of law.”
The Paths of Peace Initiatives also appealed to civil society organisations, particularly those in Oyo State, to intervene and advocate for accountability. “Let the courts speak. Let the truth be heard. Let the families of these fallen officers find peace,” Eze concluded.
As the country reflects on the legacy of #EndSARS, the call for justice remains a poignant reminder of the lives lost not just among protesters, but also among those who served.
