Tragic murder in Alagbede – a Man’s defiance of tradition ends in brutal death

In a shocking and tragic incident that has left Alagbede, Surulere residents in disbelief, a 48-year-old businessman, Olajimi Ibrahim Ajose, was brutally murdered by his own relatives. The murder took place on the night of March 13, 2019, in his Alagbede, Surulere home. Olajimi’s death was the horrific result of his firm refusal to comply with a centuries-old family tradition—the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM)—which he fought to protect his daughters from.

The story behind this senseless act of violence begins in the Mowo clan of Badagry, Lagos State, where Olajimi’s extended family held FGM as a deeply ingrained cultural practice. For generations, it had been seen as an essential rite of passage for women. Despite the Nigerian government officially banning FGM many years ago, the practice was still regarded by some families as sacred and non-negotiable.

Olajimi, a loving father of three daughters, stood firm in his opposition to FGM, along with his wife, a Cameroonian national who shared his belief that the practice was harmful to women’s physical and psychological well-being. Both were determined to break free from the oppressive tradition. However, their stance placed them in direct conflict with Olajimi’s extended family, who viewed their resistance as an unforgivable act of betrayal.

The pressure from his relatives was immense, and they made it clear that the daughters of the family were expected to undergo the procedure as part of their cultural identity. Despite Olajimi’s protests, his family remained unwavering in their stance. The conflict escalated, leading Olajimi and his wife to make the painful decision to protect their daughters at all costs. To escape the mounting pressure, Olajimi’s wife took their daughters and moved back to Cameroon, seeking refuge in a place where they could live free from the looming threat of FGM.

Olajimi, unable to abandon his business in Lagos, relocated to Surulere in an attempt to distance himself from his family’s influence. He hoped that the move would allow him to live peacefully while continuing his work in the city. But despite the relocation, word of Olajimi’s defiance quickly spread through his family. His refusal to conform to the tradition was viewed as a betrayal of the Mowo clan’s legacy, and his relatives became increasingly enraged by his actions. They saw him as a disgrace to the family’s honor and were determined to punish him for defying their deeply held beliefs.

The family’s thirst for retribution intensified, and on the fateful night of March 13, 2019, they acted on their rage. Olajimi had just returned from work and was settling into his home in Alagbede, Surulere, when a group of male relatives arrived unannounced. Without hesitation, they stormed into his house, determined to confront him, sparking a violent altercation. Outnumbered and overpowered, Olajimi had no chance to escape. He was brutally stabbed with a local knife, his wounds bearing the marks of a merciless attack. His assailants showed no mercy, and by the time neighbors heard the commotion and alerted the authorities, it was too late. Olajimi’s lifeless body was discovered in his home—a tragic casualty of an unrelenting family feud fueled by a dangerous, unyielding tradition.

The murder of Olajimi Ibrahim Ajose has sparked outrage and disbelief across Lagos and beyond. His wife and daughters, now effectively fugitives, have been forced to live in constant fear, knowing that their lives remain at risk as long as his relatives hold their beliefs. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the murder, but the perpetrators are believed to have gone into hiding, sheltered by other family members who continue to protect the archaic customs they refuse to abandon.

This heartbreaking story sheds light on the dark reality faced by many individuals who are caught in the web of harmful cultural practices that persist despite laws meant to protect human rights. Olajimi’s tragic death is a poignant reminder of the personal toll of standing up against deeply rooted traditions, especially when those traditions are protected at any cost. His final act of defiance was an attempt to protect his daughters from a practice that he knew would cause them immense harm, yet his efforts were met with a brutal, senseless end.

The murder has drawn attention to the challenges faced by individuals who attempt to break free from harmful customs. Despite the Nigerian government’s ban on FGM, the persistence of such practices remains a threat to countless women and children. Olajimi’s death serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of ignoring the rights of individuals in favor of preserving cultural traditions that can be deeply damaging.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, his story has prompted calls for a renewed focus on the fight against FGM and other harmful cultural practices that continue to harm women and children. Olajimi’s sacrifice will not be forgotten, and his story has underscored the urgent need for continued education, law enforcement, and advocacy to ensure that the rights of individuals are protected, no matter how deeply rooted the traditions may be.

Olajimi Ibrahim Ajose’s life and death reflect the high price that individuals sometimes pay when they challenge harmful traditions. His tragic end has highlighted the need for society to reassess its cultural practices and ensure that laws protecting human rights are upheld, regardless of familial or societal pressures. This murder is not just the loss of a man but also a wake-up call about the dangers of unchallenged cultural norms and the devastating impact they can have on individuals who dare to stand up against them.