In a tragic case of gang violence in the UK, an Arsenal fan was brutally murdered on Wembley Way by a group seeking revenge.
On the night of September 24, 2023, 25-year-old Hamza Iqbal was with friends around 11pm when they were attacked by three young men wielding machetes. The assailants, Joshua Oladele, Micah Hines, and Ali Alamiri, all aged 21, were carrying out a revenge attack on behalf of 28-year-old Dontae Smicle, who had been stabbed 11 days earlier.
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the three attackers were sentenced to life in prison for Hamza’s murder. Snaresbrook Crown Court in London was informed that Smicle had fled the country.
Hamza’s family described him as the joker of the household and a devoted family man. “Although mum would never admit it, he was the favourite,” his siblings said.
They added: “Hamza was football crazy. Although he wasn’t the best at playing, he was obsessed with Arsenal and never missed a game.” On the day of his murder, Hamza had watched the North London Derby.
Later that evening, Hamza and his friends were targeted by Smicle, who mistakenly believed they were responsible for his earlier attack. Judge Rosa Dean, Honorary Recorder of Redbridge, explained that the attack was part of a gang territory dispute. Smicle had contacted Oladele, who had been a drug runner since the age of 13, and then picked up Oladele, Hines, and Alamiri, driving them to Wembley Way.
The attackers exited their vehicle wearing hoodies and balaclavas. An eye-witness saw them in a huddle, preparing for the assault. When Hamza and his friends noticed the attackers, they attempted to flee. Oladele chased Hamza down and, while stabbing him, continued the assault on the defenceless man as he lay on the ground. Hines joined in, stabbing Hamza three more times. Judge Dean described it as a “miracle” that another victim escaped a similar fate.
Hamza was pronounced dead at Northwick Park Hospital about an hour later. His family recounted the devastation they felt upon receiving the news. “You never think something like this will ever happen to your own family,” they said, expressing the profound pain of their loss. They described the emptiness left in their lives and the constant reminder of their mother’s grief.
The attackers fled in Smicle’s car but were eventually apprehended. Oladele and Hines were arrested in Woolwich while Alamiri was captured at his home. During the trial, the trio claimed they were merely following Smicle’s orders out of fear. However, the jury convicted them of murder.
Judge Dean criticized the trio for their lack of remorse, stating, “I hope you are sorry for what you have done. It is too early to say if you are. None of you during the trial have shown any pity or a word of apology for your actions.”
Each was sentenced to life imprisonment: Oladele with a minimum of 28 years, Hines with a minimum of 25 years, and Alamiri with a minimum of 24 years.
