The relatives of a 21-year-old student who was fatally shot and stabbed while riding his bike home after attending a football match a decade ago are once again seeking assistance from the public to track down the perpetrators.
Ola Raji was at a friend’s residence that evening, watching a Champions League game featuring Bayern Munich and Porto, before he met his tragic fate in Peckham, south London, on the night of Tuesday, April 21, 2015.
As he rode through the East Surrey Grove estate, close to Commercial Way, he became the victim of an attack by two assailants who stabbed and shot him. He succumbed to his injuries later at the hospital.
Zainab Raji and Ruki Ware, Ola’s sisters, shared that the anniversary of their brother’s passing serves as “a painful reminder of 10 years marked by loss.” They emphasized, “Our family cannot reclaim that time,” as they urged for information.
The independent charity Crimestoppers has announced a reward of up to £20,000 for any leads that may help identify and prosecute the individuals responsible for Ola’s death.
The Metropolitan Police are keen to speak with witnesses, particularly a woman driving a black Vauxhall Corsa in the vicinity between 21:45 and 23:00, and two men who were seen returning to a residence in Pear Court at 23:10.
In their appeal, Raji’s sisters expressed, “Whenever we gather, there’s always a sense that something’s missing. There are children who won’t have the chance to know their uncle, who would still be so young now. Our laughter is a bit quieter, and there’s a smile missing from our photos.
“However, this situation is more than just about our family; it concerns the safety of those in Peckham and the larger south London community. The individuals responsible for this act may strike again, as they have before.
“We are making progress in uncovering the truth—recently, we’ve learned about phone calls Ola received shortly before the incident. Any small detail from witnesses or anyone with knowledge of the events could be the crucial information needed to bring those responsible to justice and enhance safety for the whole community.”
Last week, the sisters informed MailOnline that they had discovered two new witnesses after feeling compelled to investigate the matter on their own due to perceived shortcomings in the police response.
DCI Alex Gammampila, who is leading the investigation, remarked, “Ola was an innocent victim in an unfortunate circumstance. His murder has had a profound impact on his friends, family, and the local community.
“Ten years later, we are continuing our appeal for anyone with information to step forward.
“Were you present in Peckham that night? Perhaps you were also watching the football match or were near Commercial Way? Did you observe or hear anything related to the shooting or anything that seemed out of the ordinary?
“No piece of information is considered too insignificant; it might be the key to finally identifying Ola’s attackers.”
Alexa Loukas, Crimestoppers’ London regional manager, stated that Raji’s death has been “deeply distressing for his family and the local community.”
According to the Met, detectives are still exploring the possibility that Ola’s attackers fled the scene on foot.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of murder, and two others were taken in for obstructing justice, but no further action was taken, and no criminal charges were filed.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call 101 and reference 2597/16APR25, or submit details, including photos or videos, on the dedicated appeal page.
