Family of Slain Student Renew Plea for Justice a Decade After Murder

A decade after the tragic death of Ola Raji, his family is renewing their plea for information. The 21-year-old student was fatally attacked in Peckham, south London, on April 21, 2015. He had been returning home from a friend's house after watching a Champions League match.

That night, while cycling through the East Surrey Grove estate, Mr. Raji was stabbed and shot by two individuals. He later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a substantial reward for information that leads to the identification and prosecution of those responsible.

The Metropolitan Police is particularly interested in speaking to specific witnesses. They are seeking a female who was driving a black Vauxhall Corsa in the area between 9:45 PM and 11:00 PM, as well as two males who returned to an address in Pear Court at 11:10 PM.

Mr. Raji's sisters, Zainab and Ruki Ware, have expressed the enduring pain of their loss. They describe the anniversary as a painful reminder of the past decade. The family feels his absence deeply, especially during family gatherings. They note the children who will never know their uncle and the void in their shared laughter.

The sisters emphasize that this tragedy extends beyond their personal grief, highlighting the importance of safety in Peckham and the wider south London area. They believe the perpetrators could commit similar acts again. They are hopeful that they are getting closer to the truth, citing new information about phone calls Mr. Raji received shortly before the attack. They urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, overseeing the case, describes Mr. Raji as an innocent man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He emphasizes the lasting impact of the murder on the victim's friends, family, and the local community. The police continue to appeal for any information that could help solve the case.

The police are asking anyone who was in the area that night to recall their activities. They are seeking information from anyone who may have been watching the football, or who was near Commercial Way. Even the smallest detail could be crucial in identifying Mr. Raji's attackers.

Detectives are investigating the possibility that the attackers fled the scene on foot, using a cut-through from Cator Street into Sumner Road, before turning into Rosemary Road towards the Surrey Canal Path. Several individuals were arrested in connection with the murder, but no charges were ever brought.