Six found guilty of murder of Janayo Lucima

An investigation by the Met Police has led to the conviction of six people in connection with a fatal shooting in west London.

Five men and a boy were found guilty at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 15 July of murdering 21-year-old Janayo Lucima.

In April 2024, Janayo was killed by a single bullet when he opened the front door of his house in Comeragh Road, West Kensington, in what has been described in court as a ‘planned and organised execution’ linked to a dispute over drugs.

Despite several of the defendants trying to flee the country to avoid arrest, they have now been brought to justice.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, senior investigating officer from the Specialist Crime Command said:
“Our thoughts are with Janayo’s family, who have all been deeply affected by the senseless violence that night. His family attended each day of the trial and listened to every harrowing detail of the traumatic events of the night he was killed.

“None of the defendants provided a truthful explanation as to why he was killed. Janayo’s family will never be able to understand why their loved one was lured to his death and into the sights of the waiting gunman as soon as he emerged, with no opportunity to defend himself.

“This was not a random killing. The defendants came with murderous intent, armed not only with a handgun but also with knives.

“Each of the defendants had their role to play and all of them were participants in the murder of Janayo. With joint participation comes joint responsibility.

“We worked tirelessly over many months, painstakingly gathering evidence to ensure those involved were brought to justice. Violence and the use of weapons will never be tolerated, and we strive to ensure a safer London.”

Officers were called shortly after 22:15hrs on Monday,1 April 2024 to reports of the shooting.

On arrival, they discovered Janayo shot on his doorstep. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, he sadly died at the scene.

A murder investigation was launched, and over the months that followed detectives worked diligently to gather evidence to identify and arrest the six convicted.

The shooting had been strategically planned by the defendants, who all had set roles to play in the incident.

CCTV showed five of the defendants meeting at Fabian Road, Fulham on the evening of the murder.

During this time, they were in contact with Khuder Al-Kurdi via phone calls, who was at home as the incident unfolded. Phone records showed he was also in contact with Janayo pretending to set up a drug deal, and passed on the information of the victim’s whereabouts to the other defendants.

Mohammed Mansaray was seen flashing the gun, that would later fire the fatal shot, as they waited. After a signal from Khuder Al-Kurdi, they made their way to Comeragh Road, with some changing their clothes en route.

Video footage showed the defendants concealing themselves along Comeragh Road, with Mansaray positioning himself opposite Janayo’s house.

A call was made to Al-Kurdi, who phoned Janayo and lured him outside on the false pretences of collecting drugs. Less than a minute later, Janayo stepped outside and was fatally shot by Mansaray.

The offenders fled the scene, with some discarding the weapons they had been carrying, including knives. These were forensically linked back to a number of the defendants.

Out of the six, five left the country days after the killing in a bid to try and evade capture. Officers worked quickly to track down the defendants and arrest them, travelling to Scotland to apprehend two of the ringleaders – Mansaray and Said - and arranging an extradition for one who fled to Spain. Two others travelled to Morrocco, later arrested when they returned to the UK.

All six are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey later this year.

Those convicted of murder are:

Khuder Al-Kurdi – 22 (28.08.02) of Fulham Palace Road, W6, arrested in London on 6 April, 2024

Muktar Said, 23 (18.7.01) of Franklin Square, W14, travelled to Scotland days after and was arrested in Glasgow on 6 April, 2024

Mohammed Mansaray, 18 (06.01.07) of Neasden Lane, NW10, also travelled to Scotland days after and was arrested in Glasgow on 6 April, 2024

A 17-year-old boy from SW6, extradited from Spain, arrived back in the UK and arrested on 7 June 2024.

Issa Siteri, 19 (16/09/05) of Elm Park Gardens, SW10, arrived back in the UK from Morocco on 8 June, 2024 and was arrested.

Yusuf Muhudin Abdi, 19 (15/09/05) of Bourne Terrace, W2, also arrived back in the UK from Morocco on 8 June,2024 and was arrested.

+ The jury could not reach a verdict on another man and boy charged with murder and a retrial will be held in 2026.