August 10, 2022, marked a tragic turning point for a community that lost one of its most vocal advocates, Adekunle Adegbesan.
The activist was killed in an attack by unknown gunmen while heading to a meeting with colleagues to plan a campaign against injustice.
According to eyewitness accounts, Adegbesan was accosted by armed individuals whose identities and motives remain unclear.
Despite efforts by bystanders to intervene and the swift arrival of emergency services, he succumbed to his injuries. Since the incident, there has been little public clarity regarding the investigation, fueling concerns among rights advocates and community members.
The tragedy deepened on March 5, 2024, when the family confirmed that Adegbesan’s son, Muyiwa Adegbesan, was also killed in Lagos during an encounter with unknown gunmen.
The family stated that Muyiwa had been actively investigating the circumstances surrounding his father’s death, driven by what they described as a lack of progress and accountability in the initial case.
The circumstances surrounding Muyiwa’s killing remain murky, with the family raising serious concerns over the conduct of the unidentified gunmen involved.
“This family has now lost both a father and a son while seeking justice,” a family representative said. “We are calling on the relevant authorities to ensure accountability and transparency.”
The family and community members have urged law enforcement agencies to pursue every possible lead in both cases.
They stressed that justice must go beyond arrests to address the broader pattern of violence targeting activists and community leaders.
They warned that without decisive action, such attacks risk creating an environment of fear that undermines civic engagement and silences those working to promote justice and accountability.