I saw blood gushing out of my daddy’s chest when they brought him home – Six-year-old daughter of slain okada rider

It was obvious that Opeyemi, the six-year-old daughter of Olalekan  Ajayi, the okada rider who was shot dead by a policeman at Ladega area of Ikorodu, Lagos, on Tuesday, did not understand the tragedy that had befallen her family.


When our correspondent visited the family on Wednesday, the little girl was in high spirits as she chatted endlessly.

A policeman attached to the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, reportedly opened fire at 36-year-old Olalekan – a commercial motorcyclist – at Ladega Junction, Ikorodu after he tried to prevent the police from taking his motorcycle away.

The family was at the General Hospital, Ikorodu to make arrangement for the mind autopsy on Wednesday when our correspondent spoke with them.

The deceased daughter did not hesitate to say the little her young mind could make of the tragic occurrence.

 The playful Opeyemi told Saturday PUNCH, “I saw a lot of blood gushing out of my daddy’s chest when they brought him home.

“They used sand to cover the blood on the ground. I have not seen my daddy today, but I think he will still come home.”

When our correspondent spoke with Opeyemi’s mother, 33-year-old Alaba, her sorrow bothered on the fact that the education of her daughter might be hampered because Olalekan was the breadwinner of the family.

Alaba, who was married to the deceased for six years, said, “Olalekan is the only son of his father. He was not a mere tout working as a commercial motorcyclist. My husband was responsible.

 “That morning before he left home, we discussed the issue of my daughter’s school fee since the holiday will soon be over. He promised that he would try and save some money from his okada job.

“Later in the evening, I was in my shop when I heard news that an okada rider had been killed by a policeman. I never thought the victim was my husband until one of his friends called me.

“I have no idea what I will do to ensure my child continues school now since they have killed our breadwinner. My husband was never a stubborn or troublesome man.”

Alaba said she and her daughter were not the only people whose life had been affected by Olalekan’s killing. She said her husband was always ready to help his extended family.

The obviously shaken woman said her daughter would probably start asking for her father after several days if she realised that her father had yet to come home

Olalekan’s uncle, Tunde, told Saturday PUNCH of the great tragedy that had befallen Olalekan’s mother, who lives in Itire, Lagos.

He said, “Olalekan’s mother has been informed about the incident in Itire. She is not even 60 yet. So, you can imagine how terrible this news is to her.

“Olalekan’s father, who is my brother, is late. But his mother remarried and has other children. The news has crashed her life at the moment and I don’t know what anybody can say to console that woman.

“He was a very good man. I am not saying this because he is my brother’s son, but Lekan did not joke with his family. It is sad the police have killed him as if he was a mere animal.

“Our main concern is about his immediate family, which will probably suffer now. Of course, I will be forced to take care of them as much as I can. But can we compare that to the kind of care they will get from their breadwinner?”

Our correspondent visited the house where Olalekan lived in Ikorodu. His neighbours were in the front of the house discussing the incident.

Many of them said before he left the house on Tuesday, he was dancing for so long to a song he was playing on a CD player in his apartment.

“I am trying to replay that dancing scene in my head right now and cannot believe Lekan will go out and never come back. I simply cannot believe it,” a woman said.

In a bid to forestall further protests after the ones organised by Lekan’s colleagues and other youths in Ikorodu, every strategic point in the community was heavily manned by police patrol vans when our correspondent visited the area.

Our correspondent also sighted an armoured tank and a military jeep with several soldiers in it stationed at the community’s motor park.

Olalekan’s death adds to the statistics of killings perpetrated by trigger-happy policemen in Lagos.

The implementation of the state’s traffic laws has brought about killings and maiming by policemen in the state, many of whom have been criticised for being overzealous in enforcing the law.

On July 30, 2013, a police Corporal, Ado Ayuba, was reportedly lynched by hoodlums after he killed a trader at Suru Alaba area of Lagos.

An okada rider also died in June 2013 when a patrol van allegedly knocked him down in an attempt to get him to stop for them to impound his motorcycle.

Also on August 6, 2013, a policeman, said to be attached to the MOPOL 17, Akure, Ondo State, allegedly shot dead a man at Diamond Estate, FESTAC Town, Lagos, while also injuring a pregnant woman and two others.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has called called for calm to enable the police authorities conduct an investigation into the incident and ensure justice is done.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said, “The police officer linked with the killing of Ajayi has been arrested, detained and is presently undergoing investigation.

 “The IGP condoles with the bereaved relations, friends and colleagues of the late Olalekan Ajayi. The IG  calls on all aggrieved persons to remain calm and patient.”