A man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of almost 39 years for the brutal murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, a British-Nigerian schoolboy, in a 20-minute samurai sword rampage that left a community shattered.

The attacker, Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, will not be eligible for parole until he has served 38 years and 309 days, following a chilling spree in Hainault, East London, on 30 April 2024.

Daniel, the only son of Nigerian parents Grace and Ebenezer Anjorin, was walking to school when he was ambushed and slashed with a samurai sword. He died later in hospital from a catastrophic neck wound. His attacker went on to wound three other people, including two police officers and a family with a young child, before being detained.

“You Must Have Known He Was a Boy”

At the Old Bailey sentencing, Mr Justice Bennathan told Monzo, “You must have known he was a boy” before describing how Daniel was struck down in the prime of youth. CCTV footage shown during trial depicted a “peaceful, busy scene devastated in minutes” by Monzo’s sudden and frenzied violence.

Monzo, who was reportedly suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis, had been viewing far-right and misogynistic content before the attack. At trial, he admitted guilt only to possession of weapons, but denied murder. The jury found him guilty of murder, attempted murder, aggravated burglary, and wounding with intent.

A Father’s Grief: “My Worst Nightmare”

In court, Daniel’s father, Ebenezer Anjorin — a respected member of the Nigerian community in the UK — delivered a heart-wrenching victim impact statement.


He recalled how his wife, Grace, “screamed and cried” when she arrived and paramedics tried in vain to revive their only son.

The grieving father described Daniel as a clever, kind, music-loving boy with a bright future, now cruelly taken from them. “We will never see him get married or have children. All the things parents dream of for their child are gone.”

Diaspora Shock: A Nigerian Family Torn Apart

The tragedy has deeply affected the UK’s Nigerian community, many of whom saw their own children in Daniel. Community leaders have called the killing a “wake-up call” about mental health, knife crime, and safeguarding vulnerable youth.

Daniel, born and raised in the UK to Nigerian parents from Ogun State, was described as a child who had strong roots in his culture, attended church regularly, and loved science and football.

Survivors and Their Scars

Other victims of the attack include:
• Donato Iwule, who was rammed by Monzo’s van before being chased with a sword.
• PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield, who suffered savage injuries while trying to stop the attack.
• Henry De Los Rios Polania and Sindy Arias, who were asleep with their young daughter when Monzo broke into their home. Their child is now waiting for trauma therapy.

#Monzo also injured Inspector Moloy Campbell, who managed to corner the attacker before he was arrested.

In their victim impact statements, survivors spoke of lifelong physical scars and emotional trauma, calling for justice and healing.

Defence: “If He Could Turn Back the Clock…”

Monzo’s defence team read a letter of remorse in court, in which the attacker expressed regret and wished to “turn back the clock.” But the judge and victims’ families made it clear: no apology could undo the devastation.

Judge Bennathan praised the “exemplary courage” of the police and the “dignified strength” of Daniel’s family throughout the proceedings.

Justice, But No Closure

Outside court, Daniel’s parents said:

“No verdict or sentence can bring back our son Daniel, who we loved so dearly. But we are grateful that justice has been served. We will honour Daniel’s memory not in the shadow of this tragedy, but through the love and joy he brought to us.”

Editorial Note for Nigerians Abroad:

The murder of #DanielAnjorin is a stark reminder of the challenges Black and immigrant families still face in the UK — from youth safety and mental health failures to systemic gaps in violence prevention. Daniel’s story is not just a British tragedy; it is a Nigerian diaspora tragedy too.