The United Kingdom Metropolitan Police have renewed their appeal for information into the murder of 21-year-old Nigerian student Ola Raji, who was stabbed to death while returning from watching a Champions League football match in Peckham, London, on April 21, 2015.
The appeal was made on Monday, April 21, 2025, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the tragic incident.
In a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the police and the victim’s family urged anyone with information that could help bring his killers to justice to come forward.
“The family of an innocent man who was fatally shot and stabbed while cycling home after watching a football match has appealed for the public’s help to get justice,” the statement read.
Ola had reportedly spent the evening at a friend’s house watching the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match between Bayern Munich and FC Porto.
According to the police, he was attacked by two men while cycling through the East Surrey Grove estate, near Commercial Way, SE15.
“Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Ola later died in hospital,” the statement said.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who is leading the investigation, described Ola’s death as a senseless act of violence that continues to haunt the local community.
“Ola was an innocent man, in the wrong place at the worst time. His murder has devastated his friends and family, and those in the local community.”
“Ten years on, we continue to appeal for anyone who has any information to come forward,” Gammampila said.
The police disclosed that they were particularly appealing to anyone who was in the area on the night of the attack or who may have witnessed anything unusual.
“Were you out in Peckham that night? Were you also watching the football that night, or were you near Commercial Way? Did you see or hear the shooting or anything that struck you as being unusual?” Gammampila asked.
“No piece of information is too small and could be the final piece of the puzzle that leads us to identify Ola’s attackers.”
The Metropolitan Police urged members of the public with any relevant details, no matter how minor they may seem, to contact law enforcement.
According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation on Monday, Ola’s sisters, Zainab Raji and Ruki Ware, said even the smallest piece of evidence from any witnesses or those with knowledge of what happened “could be enough to put those responsible behind bars and make the streets safer for the entire community.”
The sisters added the anniversary of their brother’s death was “a painful reminder of 10 years of loss.”
“Our family is not going to get that time back,” they added.
-PUNCH
