It was a tragic weekend in Alagbole, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State in South-West Nigeria, as a security man was murdered by a friend who accused him of being a bad Muslim.

The incident happened around 6 O’clock on Friday at Baba Dada Street junction along Alagbole – Akute Road, where the victim worked as a securityman and also operated a kiosk.

Eyewitnesses told News Express that trouble started when the assailant accused his friend of no longer being a committed Muslim and of not practising the Islamic religion the way he used to do. “An argument ensued between both men, which resulted to a fight. Before we knew it, the man, a cobbler, drew a dagger from his waist and stabbed his friend in the neck, leading to his death,” an eyewitness said.

News Express saw the body of the victim at the crime scene before it was taken away. The killer was said to have taken to his heels but was caught and handed over to the police. Both killer and victim were said to hail from the northern part of the country. The victim, who was in his late thirties, was married with children and was known in the locality as a jovial and friendly man.

A commercial motorcycle operator in the area who gave his name as Solomon said he knew the victim very well. “He was an easy-going man who did not have issues with his friends,” Solomon said.

Another eyewitness said: “He was a good man and we will indeed miss him.”

•Photo by Rukevwe Onoharigho shows the building where the murder took place. On the right, beside the car, is the victim’s kiosk.