The family of Kenneth Ojobo, killed in Delta State, has demanded a transparent police investigation and witness protection, while internal records show the Nigeria Police Force had already directed an inquiry following a formal petition.
Ojobo, a resident of Okirighwere community in Sapele, Delta State, died in an incident in August 2025 that also left others injured. His family issued a statement on Friday, calling on Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu to ensure justice is served. They expressed serious concerns about the investigation’s handling, alleging that potential witnesses have been intimidated and threatened, forcing some to relocate from Delta State to Abuja for safety.
“Witnesses are scared for their lives. They have been threatened and warned not to speak or return,” the family stated. They urged the police leadership to provide immediate protection for cooperating witnesses and to take a direct interest in the case to guarantee accountability. The family insisted that those responsible must be held accountable, emphasizing that the integrity of the police force itself is at stake.
Separately, an internal police memo dated November 17, 2025, confirms the Force Headquarters in Abuja previously directed the Force Intelligence Department to act on a petition related to the August incident. The directive, issued from the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, instructed a review of the allegations and the initiation of investigations. The petition, filed by legal representatives for a complainant, detailed the community violence, Ojobo’s death, and ongoing safety fears for residents.
In their submission, the representatives argued that only the Inspector-General’s direct intervention could resolve the crisis, urging the police to “come and rescue our client and the people of Okirighwere community.” They called for a comprehensive, lawful investigation.
The case highlights tensions between community demands for justice and procedural police action. With witnesses in hiding and the family pressing for IGP oversight, the investigation into Kenneth Ojobo’s death now proceeds under heightened scrutiny. The police’s next steps will test commitments to transparency and witness security in Delta State.
