A 23-year-old man identified as Oshen has died after he was struck on the head by a Junior Secondary School 3 student during a fight at Ugboro, Bekwara Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at the close of school hours in Ugboro Secondary School when two students, Ogbeche and Nicholas, engaged in a fight.
Oshen reportedly intervened to separate them but became the target of Ogbeche’s anger.
According to an eyewitness, Lizzy, the student accused Oshen of taking sides and left the scuffle to fetch a heavy wooden pestle used locally for pounding food.
Despite warnings from bystanders, Ogbeche allegedly struck Oshen on the head, causing him to collapse.
“He did not listen when people shouted for him to drop the pestle.
He went ahead and hit Oshen with it. The pestles here are very heavy, unlike those used in towns, and just one strike caused severe injury,” Lizzy explained.
Oshen was rushed to a hospital in Ogoja, where he died later that night.
Residents said the suspect, Ogbeche, was known for frequent violent outbursts and had previously attacked other students with a machete, though without fatal consequences until Tuesday’s incident.
Police have since arrested the suspect, who is currently being held at the Ogoja prison.