An Ogun State-based brick moulder, Israel Ayomide, has been stabbed to death by a suspected hoodlum, popularly known as Aboy, following a heated dispute over N200 at a block industry in the Ota area of the state.

It was gathered on Wednesday that the incident occurred in the early hours of April 1 at Ori-Ade Block, along Alaka Road, under the power line in the Rosiji area of the Ewupe community.

Community sources who spoke to PUNCH Metro in separate interviews on Monday said the suspect immediately fled the scene after the attack.

One of the sources, who identified himself as Moyo, said the altercation lasted only a few minutes before it turned fatal.

“The altercation lasted just a few minutes before Aboy pinned Ayomide down and stabbed him. He died before members of the community could rush him to the hospital,” Moyo said.

Another resident, Daniel, accused the Onipanu Police Division of detaining community members who reported the incident instead of pursuing the suspect.

“He (the suspect) is known for attacking people with bottles, especially during disputes. I think he acts that way because his mother was once a police officer.

“The police at Onipanu even detained people who went to report the incident. Instead of launching a manhunt to apprehend the suspect before he fled the community, they focused on the community leaders who reported the case. They were only granted bail the next day,” Daniel alleged.

In a separate interview, the deceased’s father, Mr Israel, narrated the circumstances that led to his son’s death, revealing that he had planned to ban the suspect from his block industry a day before the incident.

“The incident happened at Obasanjo Farm, inside my block industry. My son, Ayomide, was stabbed by a boy popularly known as Aboy.

“On that day, Aboy arrived at the workplace before Ayomide, around 8am. When my son got there, he met him on the ground and began removing block pallets from previously made blocks before going to get food.

At that point, Aboy demanded N200 from Ayomide, but Ayomide refused to give it to him. When Ayomide refused to give him the money, they began arguing.

“During the argument, my son reminded him that I intended to send him away that day, and that was how the fight started.

“In the course of the fight, Ayomide fell, giving Aboy the opportunity to grab a bottle and stab him. Before anyone could intervene, he had fled. My son was rushed to a nearby health centre, but he was confirmed dead.”

Explaining why the suspect frequented the area, the bereaved father said, “There is a football field nearby, and beside my shop, Ayomide operates a car wash with a snooker board and table tennis, which attracts young boys to the area.

“On the day of the incident, the police came to see the landlord and detained about six shop owners nearby, claiming they were key witnesses.

“On April 4, members of their community came to plead with us to bury the deceased while they continued efforts to find Aboy.

“When we asked them to confirm if it was truly their son who stabbed my child, they admitted he was responsible. Since then, they have been holding meetings in the area.

“Ayomide would have turned 23 this year; he was born in 2003. He assisted me in delivering blocks with a truck.

“The police did not take action until I went to the Area Command in Sango. People in the community have said this is not the first time the suspect has committed such an act; he has reportedly stabbed about four people in the past. It was even alleged that he killed his stepfather.

“Since the incident, the police have not provided any meaningful update, despite arresting six people, including the person who reported the case and the chairman. Some of my neighbours, who witnessed the incident, were detained and intimidated, making them afraid to speak.”

A senior police officer in the area confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday but dismissed claims that the police were shielding the suspect because of his mother’s background.

The officer said, “It is true that the suspect’s mother was a police officer, but she has since retired. She was a junior officer while in service.

“The suspect is a 23-year-old man. When officers from Onipanu met his mother for a statement, she said he should be arrested wherever he is found.

“We explained to the deceased’s father that we cannot arrest the mother because the suspect is an adult and solely responsible for his actions. We have been searching for him since the incident.

“Tracking his phone has also been difficult because he left it at home on the day of the incident. His mother herself has expressed support for his arrest.”

Confirming the incident during a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the command was working to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

He said, “The investigation is still ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect. The claim linking a retired police officer to the probe is unfounded. We cannot divulge details of our investigation until it is concluded.

“We are doing all we can to ensure the suspect is arrested. Investigations sometimes take time, but in the end, justice will be served.” (The PUNCH, but headline rejigged)

Update news