A widow, Mrs. Bridget Chinwokwu, a native of Ubulu-Uku, Delta State, has cried to the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Commissioner of Police Imohinmi Edgal to bring the killers of her son to justice.
Late Sylvester
Her son, a footballer, Sylvester Chiwokwu, was shot dead in the Alapere area of Ketu, Lagos, while on a commercial motorcycle (Okada ). Sylvester was shot in the hand and he fell off the bike.
Narrating how her son was killed, Mrs. Chinwokwu said, “I was not there, but I was told by a witness, an elderly man, that when my son was on the Okada, he was shot in the hand, he fell down and as he was struggling to stand up one of the gunmen, who were in a Toyota Camry car, ordered him not to stand up or be shot dead.
As he was struggling in excruciating pains, he asked what his offense was and one of them, Femi, said he was always dressing well and has refused to associate with their group. One of them said he was still asking questions, so he commanded other men to finish him.
He was stabbed severally. One of them used an axe to butcher him. He was shouting for help, but no one came to his rescue.
“My son was not staying in Lagos, he was playing football in Abuja, and planning to go abroad to join a club. He just came in a few months ago to help me with some projects. On a fateful day, he had gone to see his sister, who stayed in Alapere.
As he arrived at her house, my daughter told him to go back to Ikorodu, where we stay, as cult groups were fighting and shooting.
He adhered and he boarded the Okada, and as he wanted to leave one of his friends called him on phone and told him to come over to his place from where he intended to leave for Ikorodu. It was on the way to his friend’s that he met his untimely death.
“Why I am pained is that his father died a long time ago. I suffered to bring my children up. My children suffered with me.
We hawked together to raise money to train them in school. He has finished his studies and has taken to soccer. His brother has perfected plans to put him in a club.
“My child had been complaining bitterly that each time he went to see his elder sister, Femi and his group used to tell him that he was proud and that because he has been blessed he would not assist them.
We used to stay at Alapere before my first son managed to build a house for me in Ikorodu.
“I learned that the police have seized the vehicle that they used in the operation; it was recovered by the police and parked at Thomas Police Station, off Owede Onirin.
I learned that the owner of the vehicle has been coming to claim the car. I am calling on Governor Ambode and CP Edgal to wade into the matter and bring the killers to justice.
I want to know those who killed my son and why they butchered him like a common criminal. I want to know if he took something from them. My heart is burning like fire. I am finished because Sylvester was a loving child.”
A friend of the deceased who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Cornerstone that:” Sly as he was fondly called was killed out of jealousy. He was well brought up and a fine footballer. He was not into cult activities.
The only grouse was that he was dressing well and he was not buying drinks and smoke for them. I know those who killed him. They used to intimidate us and cajole us to buy drinks and smoke for them.
The police should use the identities of the two persons shot dead to trace others now at large. Well, God will judge those who killed my friend. They have murdered sleep and they will sleep no more”.
Police spokesman for the state, CSP Chike Oti, said: “We are aware of the killing. When our men received a distress that a man was shot, they gave the vehicle a hot chase and one of the suspects was shot dead while others escaped with bullet wounds.
We have recovered the vehicle which is at Thomas Police station. The vehicle has no number plate. We are trying to know who owns the car and under what circumstances the car reached the hands of the hoodlums.
We will get the killers. We will do justice to the matter. We are investigating and we will do it to a logical conclusion.”
