The Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) has condemned the brutal and gruesome murder of Adetunji Ayaji, a 62-year-old physically challenged man who was assassinated in his house in the Imasayi community, Yewa-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The septuagenarian was reportedly macheted to death around 3:pm on Wednesday, 5 July, 2023 by unknown assailants who allegedly broke into his house after his family members had departed for work.
The family members met his lifeless body in the pool of his blood upon their return.
In a press statement issued at the ALDIN Headquarters in Abuja, the National President of ALDIN, Ikem U. Uchegbulam Esq, described the vicious attack as dastardly, senseless and unconscionable.
“This deeply shocking attack is another horrific reminder of the real threats of violence and insecurity that persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people in the country continue to face daily in their struggle to survive”, the ALDIN boss said.
The association condoled with the family and the disability community on the unfortunate incident and reiterated that the lives of Persons With Disabilities matter.
In the same vein, ALDIN commends the Nigeria Police Force on the arrest of Siyaka Mohammed, the alleged murderer of Aisha Aminu, a Physically Challenged Woman and mother of three, who was murdered in a most inhumane and barbaric manner on 7 June 2023, at about 6 AM in her shop located in Obehira Okene LGA, Kogi State.
It would be recalled that Aisha was ferociously attacked by her 44 years old boyfriend, identified as Siyaka Mohammed. The savage assailant forcibly dragged her from the inner chambers of her shop and mercilessly stabbed her multiple times until she succumbed to her injuries.
Mohammed later fled but has now been apprehended by the police. The Association however, urge the authorities to speedily prosecute the suspect to serve as deterrent.
Noting with dismay that the apparent profiling, targeting and killing of persons with disabilities have gone on unchecked for too long, the association however insists that it must be stemmed.
According to the statement signed by the association’s National Director of Media and Publicity, Justice Christopher, “ALDIN therefore demands the swift investigation by the government, of these ugly incidents of unlawful killings of innocent citizens, particularly persons with disabilities with a view to bringing the culprits to justice and urge them to strengthen remedial measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Nothing but these will ensure the killings end and restore people’s confidence in the ability of the Government to guarantee the security of their lives and property.”
