A teenage gang member who hunted down and stabbed a talented 18-year-old Nigerian footballer over a gangland postcode feud, has been jailed for life in the U.K
Jonathan Abora was 17 when he knifed Israel Ogunsola, who once had trials with Arsenal, on April 4, 2018.
Abora and his alleged accomplice John Paul Mokonzele, then 19, were connected to the E8 London Fields gang while Ogunsola was linked to rival E9 gang – both based in Hackney, east London.
Abora followed Israel in his Vauxhall Astra before the pair stabbed him six times during a knife fight which lasted less than 30 seconds.
The convict fell into the “knife-carrying culture” after joining a gang at the age of 14. Now 18, he was jailed for life, today at the Old Bailey, after a jury found him guilty of murder.
Det Ch Insp Chris Soole from the Met’s murder squad said:
“Israel was hunted by Abora who was armed and ruthless in his efforts to kill.
“He will now have plenty of time to think about his actions in prison where he belongs.
“I hope this conviction brings some small comfort to Israel’s family and acts as a deterrent to anyone thinking of carrying weapons on our streets.
“We know Abora did not act alone and we are now appealing for anyone who knows what happened to call police.”
