Tenth London murder in less than two weeks
THE son of a prominent Nigerian politician has become the tenth person to be murdered in the capital in 12 days of bloodshed.
Abraham Badru, 26, who was once given a police bravery award for saving a women from a sex attack, was shot dead near his family’s home after 11pm on Sunday.
The football coach was described yesterday as a ‘quiet and hardworking’ young man by father Dolapo Badru, 62, a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives – the country’s equivalent of the House of Commons.
Neighbours said Mr Badru had been to church on the day of the murder and was getting out of his car when he was shot.
He was found slumped on the pavement by police and died at the scene about 100 yards from his home in Dalston, East London. One witness told the London Evening Standard: ‘ His mother came out and saw him. It was terrible listening to her collapse crying on the floor. She was just screaming.’
The victim’s father said Mr Badru had been given a bravery award as a teenager for saving a woman from a sex attack.
The distraught father said: ‘A few years ago a girl was raped on the estate and Abraham fought them off. He went to court to testify against them and the police gave him an award.’
Yesterday friends paid tribute to Mr Badru, describing him as a ‘bubbly and outgoing’ young man who was ‘making a life for himself’ after completing his studies.
They said he had a fiancee in Nigeria where he had volunteered with the Team Nigeria UK football coaching charity.
Mr Badru was due to coach at an open trial in Charlton this week.
One volunteer said: ‘He’s such a wonderful guy full of life and very hard-working.’
He also previously worked with Bristol City Council as a sport
‘His mother was screaming’
development officer, according to a social media profile, and had interned at non-league Gloucester City FC during his sports coaching master’s degree at the University of Gloucestershire.
The murder is the tenth in London in the last fortnight.
The bloodshed started on March 13 when Julian Joseph, 36, was attacked by two men on a bus in New Cross, South London. He died from his injuries 11 days later.
Mr Badru’s mother was being supported by family members at their home yesterday, but the family were too upset to speak.
A neighbour said: ‘ They are a lovely family, church going and loving. Everyone is stunned this could happen to Abraham.
‘He was a gentle, respectful young man and I pray for his family who are in pain right now.’
One school friend said: ‘ He had just finished studying a master’s. He was a bubbly guy. We went to the same church as kids. His mother is a devout Christian.
‘I’m lost for words. I just cannot believe it. He was the nicest guy, very happy and outgoing.’
Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, from Scotland Yard’s murder squad, said: ‘We are appealing for information so we can establish the circumstances which led to a young man losing his life.’ There had been no arrests last night.