Tragedy struck in the Ota axis of Ogun State after a 22-year-old brick moulder, Isreal Ayomide, was allegedly stabbed to death during a disagreement over N200 at a block industry in the Ewupe area.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of April 1 at Ori-Ade Block Industry along Alaka Road, Rosiji community, reportedly followed a brief confrontation between the deceased and a suspect identified as a hoodlum known in the area as “Aboy”.
Community members said the altercation, which began at the workplace, escalated quickly before the suspect allegedly pinned Ayomide down and stabbed him with a bottle.
A resident, identified simply as Moyo, said the disagreement lasted only a few minutes before it turned deadly.
“He pinned him down and stabbed him. Before help could come, Ayomide had already lost a lot of blood. He died before he could be taken to hospital,” he said.
Another resident, Daniel, alleged that the suspect fled immediately after the attack and had a history of violent behaviour in the community, a claim that has not been independently verified.
He also accused police operatives at the Onipanu Division of detaining some residents who reported the matter, rather than immediately launching a manhunt for the suspect.
However, police authorities have not confirmed the allegation.
The deceased’s father, Mr Israel, said the confrontation started when the suspect demanded N200 from his son, which he refused to give.
He explained that the suspect had arrived earlier at the site and was working with block pallets before his son got to the scene.
According to him, the disagreement escalated after his son reminded the suspect of plans to bar him from the facility.
“In the process, a fight broke out. My son fell, and that was when he was stabbed with a bottle.
The suspect ran away immediately,” he said, adding that Ayomide was confirmed dead at a nearby health centre.
The bereaved father further alleged that several people, including shop owners and witnesses, were briefly detained by police during preliminary investigations, a development he described as troubling.
He also claimed the suspect had been involved in previous violent incidents within the community, allegations which remain unverified.
A senior police officer, who confirmed the incident, dismissed insinuations that the suspect was being protected because of his family background, noting that his mother is a retired junior officer.
The officer said the suspect’s mother had cooperated with investigators and supported efforts to ensure his arrest.
He added that tracking the suspect had been difficult because he allegedly left his phone behind when fleeing the scene.
“The suspect is being trailed. His mother has also expressed willingness for him to be arrested. We are intensifying efforts to apprehend him,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed that investigations were ongoing, adding that efforts were underway to arrest the fleeing suspect.
He urged the public to allow the police to conclude their investigation, assuring that justice would be served.