A domestic dispute turned deadly at the Marian Market in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, where a young man was allegedly stabbed to death by his elder sister following a heated family confrontation.
The incident, which occurred over the weekend, threw the busy market into confusion as traders watched the disagreement escalate between the deceased and his mother, who trades in bulk fish at the market.
Eyewitnesses, mostly women traders, said the fatal attack followed a minor quarrel involving the mother and her son.
They claimed the altercation worsened shortly after the deceased, who appeared unsteady, arrived at his mother’s stall.
According to one trader who witnessed the scene and spoke on condition of anonymity, the suspect is about 23 years old.
She said the confrontation began moments after the young man arrived to assist his mother.
“The boy is said to be an addict who often takes a dangerous combination of narcotics popularly called ‘Ice’ in Calabar,” she said. “When he got to his mother’s stall to help as usual, an argument broke out. He exchanged words with his mother.”
Some traders alleged the mother had previously expressed fear over her son’s behaviour whenever he was under the influence, claiming he had attempted to assault her in the past.
One trader recounted that tensions escalated after the sister arrived at the stall.
“When the elder sister arrived, the mother reportedly told her to stab him,” the trader said. “Maybe she didn’t expect it would lead to his death. The boy began to bleed heavily and grew weak.”
Witnesses said the young man’s condition worsened before any meaningful help could be arranged.
As panic spread, the mother and daughter allegedly attempted to flee, prompting traders to intervene and restrain the mother. The sister, however, reportedly escaped from the scene.
“We were afraid that if they escaped, the police might come after us instead,” another trader said.
Some traders quoted the mother as saying she acted out of fear, claiming her son had repeatedly threatened her or become violent while intoxicated.
A trader, identified simply as Mr Greg, said the police were immediately alerted. Officers arrived and took the mother into custody.
“She was made to carry her son’s body on her lap. It was soaked in his blood,” he said.
Efforts to reach DSP Igri Ewa, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, were unsuccessful at press time.