By Idowu Bankole

The family of Topmost Ayinde has been thrown into mourning following reports of his death in the United Kingdom earlier this year after a sudden collapse believed to be heart-related.

Ayinde’s sister, Kemi Ayinde, said she learned of her brother’s death in March after a close friend in the UK, who was listed as his emergency contact, finally reached her following several unsuccessful attempts. UK authorities had formally notified the friend after Ayinde’s passing. Emergency responders reportedly attempted to revive him after he collapsed, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Kemi said her brother and his son, Ayomide, had fled Nigeria earlier, fearing for their lives after the killing of Ayinde’s wife and daughter. She disclosed that Ayinde avoided using his real name publicly for security reasons, though it remains unclear whether a formal name change was involved.

Expressing frustration over what she described as the slow pace of police investigations, Kemi said the unresolved killings of her sister-in-law and niece have left the family traumatised and living in fear.

She further disclosed that on February 26, the same day she returned to Nigeria, she was attacked in Abuja by unknown assailants and sustained a gunshot wound to her hand. Kemi said she travelled into the country without informing anyone of her arrival and remains uncertain how the attackers became aware of her presence. During the attack, the assailants reportedly shot two police officers assigned to protect her. She expressed shock and grief over their deaths. Police authorities confirmed the incident and said the officers died and were taken to the morgue.

Kemi said the assailants accused her of knowing the whereabouts of her brother and his son and demanded that she disclose their location. She said she told them she had no such information, after which she was shot.

Police authorities confirmed the attack on Kemi and said investigations into the killings of Ayinde’s wife and daughter in Osun State are ongoing, with no arrests made in connection with either incident.

Kemi added that she had been trying unsuccessfully to reach her brother for several weeks before learning of his death, as his phone lines suddenly became unreachable. She said Ayinde had previously mentioned receiving threats, which he privately linked to misunderstandings surrounding a political ambition, though she could not identify those responsible or confirm any political affiliation.

Citing continued fear for her safety, Kemi said she no longer feels secure in Nigeria and plans to return to the country where she had previously been residing.