By Our Reporter Tragedy has once again struck the peaceful town of Ajara–Topa in Badagry, Lagos State, following the gruesome killing of a r...
By Our Reporter
Tragedy has once again struck the peaceful town of Ajara–Topa in Badagry, Lagos State, following the gruesome killing of a respected community leader, Chief Nukokoe Azo Ezekiel, popularly known as “Lajuẹ” or “Open.”
Badagry Today gathered exclusively that the 70-year-old traditional figure, who until his death was the Zangan of Seje Community in Ajara–Topa, was killed in the early hours of Thursday, October 17, 2025, by yet-to-be-identified assailants.
According to findings, Chief Ezekiel was performing his usual morning chores between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. when the attackers struck. A family source disclosed that the deceased was sweeping his compound when the killers ambushed him.
“They first attacked him with a machete,” one family insider said, “but strangely, the machete did not leave any cuts on his body. They then hit him on the head with a heavy object, crushing his skull. He died instantly.”
Speaking with Badagry Today over the phone, Mr. Samuel Hunvio, one of the late chief’s sons, recounted how the shocking discovery was made.
“Though I don’t live with my father, one of my younger brothers called to inform me about what happened,” he said. “He told me that Baba woke up early, around 5 a.m., and started his normal sweeping routine. But when he didn’t see him moving around by 6 a.m., he went to check on him. He eventually found Baba lying in a pool of blood under the tree where he used to sweep. That’s when he raised the alarm, and people rushed out.”
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the chief had deep wounds on his head, suggesting he was hit with a blunt or heavy object after the machete failed to injure him.
However, what has raised eyebrows is that the incident was never reported to the police. Multiple sources told Badagry Today that some community leaders allegedly advised the family not to involve law enforcement, though the reasons for such counsel remain unclear.
When contacted, Mr. Hunvio confirmed that the family did not report the matter to the police.
“Yes, we didn’t go to the police,” he admitted. “We were told not to by some elders in the community. Also, we didn’t have the money to pursue the matter.”
The late Chief Nukokoe Azo Ezekiel has since been buried by his children and relatives, with many residents still in shock over the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death and the silence that followed it.
As of press time, neither the Lagos State Police Command nor local authorities in Badagry have officially commented on the incident.
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