Key Points:
- Ola Raji, 21, was shot and stabbed to death in Peckham on 21 April 2015.
- The attack happened while Ola was cycling home through the East Surrey Grove estate after watching football with friends.
- His sisters, Zainab Raji and Ruki Ware, have spoken of “10 years of loss” and urged witnesses to come forward.
- Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the killers’ conviction.
- Three people were arrested on suspicion of murder and two for perverting justice, but no charges were brought.
- Police are appealing to a female driver of a black Vauxhall Corsa and two males who returned to Pear Court at 11.10pm.
- Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila described Ola as “an innocent man, in the wrong place at the worst time.”
- Witnesses are urged to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.
A decade after the tragic killing of Ola Raji in Peckham, South East London, his family has renewed their appeal for information, as police and Crimestoppers continue efforts to bring his murderers to justice.
What happened to Ola Raji in Peckham?
Ola Raji, a 21-year-old student, was cycling home through the East Surrey Grove estate near Commercial Way on 21 April 2015 after watching football at a friend’s house when he was senselessly attacked. He was shot and stabbed before dying in hospital later that night.
The Metropolitan Police reported that Ola’s murder remains unsolved despite arrests made during the original investigation.
How has Ola Raji’s family responded 10 years later?
Marking a decade since Ola’s death, his sisters, Zainab Raji and Ruki Ware, released an emotional statement:
“This is a painful reminder of 10 years of loss – our family is not going to get that time back. When we get together, there is always that sense of something missing. There are children who never get to know their uncle, who would still be so young even now. The laughter we share is that little less loud. There is a smile absent in the photographs.”
The sisters stressed that the tragedy was not only a family matter but one concerning the safety of Peckham and wider south London.
“There is no doubt the people who did this once could carry out similar attacks again. Maybe they already have.
We are getting closer to the truth – for example, we now know about phone calls Ola received shortly before the attack.”
They appealed for even the smallest piece of information to help secure justice and improve safety in their community.
What has the police investigation revealed?
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, leading the investigation, confirmed that three individuals had been arrested on suspicion of murder and two others for perverting the course of justice. However, no charges were brought against any of them.
DCI Gammampila said:
“Ola was an innocent man, in the wrong place at the worst time. His murder has devastated his friends and family, and those in the local community.
Ten-years on, we continue to appeal for anyone who has any information to come forward.
Were you out in Peckham that night? Were you also watching the football that night, or were you near Commercial Way?
Did you see or hear the shooting or anything that struck you as being unusual?
No piece of information is too small, and could be the final piece of the puzzle that leads us to identify Ola’s attackers.”
The police believe the attackers may have fled the scene on foot through a cut-through from Cator Street into Sumner Road, before turning into Rosemary Road towards the Surrey Canal Path.
Who are the key witnesses police want to speak to?
The police are particularly keen to trace:
- A female driving a black Vauxhall Corsa in the area between 9.45pm and 11pm.
- Two males who returned to an address in Pear Court at 11.10pm.
Detectives believe these individuals may hold vital information that could progress the investigation.
What reward is being offered and how can people give information?
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the identification and prosecution of those responsible for Ola’s murder.
Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager at Crimestoppers, said:
“As the family of Ola Raji continue their heartfelt appeal for justice 10 years after this tragic murder, we want to remind people that his attackers have still not been caught.
This is deeply unsettling for his loved ones and the local community.
We know that there may be several witnesses who have information but for whatever reason talking to the police is not an option.
We are an independent charity, separate from the police, and we are unable to identify anyone who contacts us.”
Anyone with information can:
- Call 101 or message @MetCC on X, quoting reference 2597/16APR25.
- Upload information, photos, or videos to the dedicated Met Police appeal page.
To stay anonymous, people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The reward is only payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers, and callers must request a reward code when contacting the charity.
