#EndSARS anniversary: Paths of Peace Initiatives demands justice for murdered police officers

As part of efforts to mark the #EndSARS anniversary, Paths of Peace Initiatives have demanded justice for murdered police officers, Sergeant Adegoke Ajibola and Corporal Rotimi Oladele, who were deployed to restore peace in Oyo State.

In a statement made available to The Mirror, National President, Paths of Peace Initiatives, Com. Dandy Eze noted that five years ago, the nation was shaken to its core by the #EndSARS protests, a movement born from pain, but one that spiralled into chaos.

“Today, as we mark the fifth anniversary of that dark chapter, we remember not only the voices that cried for justice but also the lives that were brutally silenced in its wake. Among the most horrific tragedies of that period was the gruesome murder of two police officers, Sergeant Ajibola and Corporal Oladele, who were deployed to restore peace in Oyo State.

“On October 8, 2020, these officers were ambushed, killed, set ablaze, and, unthinkably, cannibalised by members of a mob. Viral footage captured the unimaginable: individuals hacking at their charred remains, some placing flesh into containers as if collecting party leftovers. It was not just a crime; it was a desecration of humanity,” he lamented.

Com. Eze calls on the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to break the silence and act.

“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.

“We cannot allow this atrocity to fade into obscurity. 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 footage, the testimonies, and the investigations all point to a crime that demands resolution.
We urge the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, and all relevant authorities to prioritise this case. Let the courts speak. Let the truth be heard. Let the families of these fallen officers find peace.

“We call on all Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, especially those in Oyo State, to wade into the matter and ensure that the deceased officers are allowed to rest in peace. Let us remember: justice is not just a legal obligation, it is a moral one,” he stated.