On the 10th anniversary of the murder of 21-year-old Nigerian student Ola Raji, the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police have renewed their appeal for information that could lead to justice.
Ola was fatally stabbed and shot while cycling home after watching a UEFA Champions League match on April 21, 2015, in Peckham, London.
The police made the renewed appeal on Monday, April 21, 2025, urging the public to assist in solving the decade-old case.
In a statement obtained by Punch on Tuesday, the police and Ola’s family called on anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward.
“The family of an innocent man who was shot and stabbed to death while riding home after a football game is pleading with the public to help them get justice,” the statement said.
Ola had reportedly spent that evening at a friend’s house watching a Champions League quarter-final between Bayern Munich and FC Porto.
He was attacked by two assailants while riding through the East Surrey Grove estate near Commercial Way, SE15.
Despite the efforts of emergency responders, he later died in the hospital.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who is leading the case, described Ola’s murder as a “senseless act of violence” that still casts a shadow over the community.
“Ola was an innocent young man, simply in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Gammampila said. “His loss continues to devastate his family, friends, and the local community. Even now, we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.”
The police specifically urged those who were in the area on the night of the incident, or who may have noticed anything suspicious, to speak up.
“Were you in Peckham that night? Were you also watching the football? Were you near Commercial Way? Did you see or hear anything unusual?” Gammampila asked. “No detail is too small — it could be the missing piece that helps us identify those responsible.”
The Metropolitan Police encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact them.
In a BBC report published Monday, Ola’s sisters, Zainab Raji and Ruki Ware, also appealed to the public. They noted that even the smallest clue could be enough to help put the perpetrators behind bars and improve safety for everyone.
“This anniversary is a painful reminder of the ten years we’ve lost,” they said. “Time we’ll never get back.”
