Another Nigerian Life Cut Short Abroad: 2 charged with 26-year-old’s murder in UK
The Metropolitan Police have arrested and charged two individuals in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old Nigerian man, Ayowale Aladejana, in New Cross, southeast London.
In a statement released on Monday, August 4, the police confirmed that a man and a woman had been charged with murder following the incident.
A 23-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the stabbing, while a 23-year-old woman was later apprehended on Sunday.
The statement reads:
“Ben Wazabanga, 23 (24.10.2001) of Fairfax Road, Bedford, was charged with murder and possession of a knife on Monday, 4 August. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August.
“Ronique Belfon, 23 (10.05.2002) of Morinsbury Road, Bedford, was charged with murder on Monday, 4 August. She was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 4 August.”
Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, expressed sympathy to the victim’s loved ones.
“Our thoughts are with Ayowale’s family and friends at this difficult time,” Card said.
“I understand this incident will be concerning, and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances,” she added.
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According to the police, the investigation was launched after officers received a report at 7:26 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, of a man found with stab wounds at a residential address on Monson Road, New Cross.
Emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service and medics from London’s Air Ambulance, responded, but despite their efforts, Ayowale was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination conducted on Sunday confirmed that the preliminary cause of death was a stab wound to the chest.
Ayowale Aladejana’s death adds to a troubling list of Nigerians who have lost their lives abroad in recent months.
In May, The ICIR reported the death of Nnena Miriam, a nurse living in Leeds, UK, who was found dead in her apartment. Her death was confirmed by Fellow Nurses Africa, an organisation dedicated to promoting the nursing profession across the continent. Police had discovered her body following a missing person report.
Just a week later, 23-year-old Nigerian student nurse Elizabeth Tamilore Odunsi was stabbed to death in Houston, Texas, just two days before her graduation. The Houston Police found her body at her home around 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 26.
Also in May, human rights lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor urged both the Nigerian and Swiss governments to investigate the controversial death of Michael Kenechukwu Ekemezie, a 39-year-old Nigerian man who reportedly died on May 25 after a violent encounter with Swiss Police in Lausanne.
Ejiofor demanded an independent and transparent probe, the identification and public release of the officers involved, as well as their immediate suspension and arrest pending the outcome of the investigation.
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