Ajiran Community Demands Justice for Slain Princes
The Ajiran community in Lagos State has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators behind the targeted killings of two of its princes are brought to justice.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the community addressed the consecutive murders of Prince Sheriff Salami, who was killed in broad daylight on April 18, 2023, and Prince Ademola Akinloye, who was murdered under similar circumstances on August 26, 2024.
The announcement, signed by the traditional ruler of the town, the Ojomu of Ajiranland, Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye, and the Balogun of Ajiran, Chief Yekini Bakare, signals a heightened pursuit of legal accountability and territorial integrity within the kingdom.
The royal family expressed its support for the Nigeria Police Force while revealing that independent investigations are also underway to unravel the motives behind these violent acts.
The community leaders emphasized that the investigation is a necessary measure to ensure that criminals do not operate with impunity within their domain.
The brutal nature of these crimes, occurring in the heart of the community, has necessitated a dual focus on security and justice. The leadership noted that the safety of its subjects is paramount, and the successful prosecution of these cases is essential to restoring a sense of peace and order in a region that has become a flashpoint for high-stakes land disputes.
The Ajiranland security crisis is inextricably linked to the escalating value of real estate in the Eti-Osa corridor of Lagos State. As one of the most prime investment hubs in Nigeria, the area known as the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family land spanning vast hectares documented as far back as 1955—has become a target for illicit land speculation and forgery.
The community warned the public against the “unscrupulous” sale of lands by unauthorized persons, specifically mentioning that some individuals have been forging title deeds and the signatures of principal family members.
The monarch clarified that all legitimate transactions involving the Ojomu Royal Family are conducted using specialized documents embedded with security features to prevent fraud.
From an economic perspective, the persistent insecurity and fraudulent land dealings in Ajiran pose a significant threat to the Lagos State property market, which is a major contributor to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). When high-profile members of traditional families are targeted and land titles are compromised, it creates a “legal risk premium” that can deter both domestic and foreign investors.
According to real estate analysts, the Lekki-Ajiran axis remains a critical growth engine for the middle-to-high-income housing market. However, the recurring violence and disputes over ancestral titles can lead to protracted litigation, stalling multi-billion naira development projects and reducing the velocity of capital within the construction and mortgage sectors.
The community leadership also cautioned the general public against dealing with individuals operating under the banner of the “Ojomu Youth Forum” or other unauthorized groups.
The statement categorized these entities as cohorts lacking the legal authority to transact on behalf of the royal family. This warning is aimed at protecting unsuspecting buyers from losing their investments to “Omo-Onile” (land grabber) activities, which have historically plagued the Lagos real estate sector.
The royal family urged legitimate purchasers who have already acquired land through accredited representatives to take immediate physical possession of their properties to forestall encroachment by illegal sellers.
The ongoing judicial and police investigations are expected to shed light on whether the murders of the princes were motivated by internal family dynamics or external pressures from land syndicates.
Historically, the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family’s title to the land has been affirmed by several statutory documents and court judgments, including Plan No. CT/55/55. The community’s insistence on following the rule of law serves as an important benchmark for other traditional domains in Lagos grappling with the pressures of urbanization and commercialization.
By insisting that “murderers do not roam freely,” the Ajiran leadership is attempting to decouple the traditional land tenure system from the violence often associated with it.
For the Lagos State Government, the situation in Ajiran represents a test of the efficacy of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, which was enacted to curb the activities of land grabbers.
The state’s ability to secure prime real estate hubs is vital for its “THEMES” agenda, particularly in the areas of security and governance.
The resolution of the Ajiran murders and the stabilization of its land market are essential for maintaining investor confidence in the Lekki-Epe corridor, which is slated for further industrial expansion following the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Refinery nearby.
As the police continue their probe into the April 2023 and August 2024 killings, the Ajiran community remains on high alert.
The monarch has indicated that the family will no longer bear the burden of relocating genuine purchasers who fall victim to unauthorized sellers, as they have done in the past.
This shift toward a more stringent “buyer beware” policy, backed by technological security features on deeds, marks a modernization of the family’s administrative processes. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the Ajiran kingdom remains a safe haven for residents and a viable destination for the legitimate economic activities that drive the prosperity of the Eti-Osa region.
