The United Kingdom Metropolitan Police said operatives were alerted to the incident at around 12:35pm on 31 December
By Titilope Adako
Two suspects have been arrested following the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Nigerian, John Temitope Onetufo, in London’s Lewisham area on New Year’s Eve.
The United Kingdom Metropolitan Police said operatives were alerted to the incident at around 12:35pm on 31 December.
Emergency responders found Onetufo with stab wounds to the chest and attended to him immediately, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A statement from the Met Police read, “Police were called at around 12:35 hrs on Wednesday, 31 December, following reports of a fatal stabbing in Grove Street, Lewisham.
Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, where a 23-year-old man was treated for a stab wound to the chest.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. He has since been named as John Temitope Onetufo from Deptford.”
Two suspects a 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man were arrested on 2 January in connection with the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend, who is leading the investigation, urged anyone with information about the stabbing to come forward.
She said the police would ensure those responsible were brought to justice.
Townsend added, “My team has worked relentlessly over recent days to pursue every line of enquiry, and I can confirm that two arrests have now been made in connection with this tragic incident.
“This is a significant development, but our investigation remains ongoing as we work to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened.
I want to extend my deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends. We remain committed to finding answers and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.”
The incident highlights the ongoing problem of knife violence in the UK, which has claimed the lives of several Nigerians.
In a similar case reported on 6 August 2025, 60-year-old Nigerian, Nkiru Chima, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her Romford apartment.
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