Ex-convict stabs colleague to death in Ogun, flees

An ex-convict has reportedly stabbed his colleague, known as Dada, to death after an argument in Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Reports from Sunday say the incident happened early Saturday morning. This caused panic in the community, leading shop owners to quickly close their stores and leave the area.

Eyewitnesses could not say what caused the argument between the suspect, known for his criminal background, and the victim. However, our correspondent found out that the suspect ran away right after stabbing Dada in the neck.

An eyewitness named Gabriel told our correspondent on Saturday that the trouble started when Dada stabbed the suspect in the hand during their argument. He said, "They were arguing with each other. Dada was the first person to stab the suspect in the hand. Everyone here knows the suspect as very notorious. He just returned from prison."

Gabriel continued, "People who witnessed what happened immediately advised Dada to leave the area. But he didn’t listen. This time, the suspect had left the area after that cut. A few minutes later, he just returned with a weapon. He stabbed Dada in the neck. Bystanders applied pressure to the wounds, but he died en route to the hospital."

Another eyewitness, Samuel, claimed that Dada’s body was left on the roadside after he died on the way to the hospital. He said, "Some people rushed him to the hospital. But when they discovered he had died, they left the corpse on the road before calling the police to inform them about what had happened."

Samuel added, "Some officers immediately arrived at the area and started raiding anyone found loitering around the bus stop."

A police source, who asked to remain anonymous due to not being authorized to speak, said the suspect is well-known in the area. The source said, "There is a place under the Akute bridge. These hoodlums usually use the place as a hideout. The hideout is where the incident occurred. The man who was killed was popularly known as Dada. I am not sure about the name of the suspect."

The police source went on, "If you check under the bridge, the chairman has begun to fence it so that these hoodlums would not use the place for shelter. There are reports of phone theft and all manner of crimes in the area. If you pass that place at night, it is a problem. That is why our men are usually stationed there at night. We are still looking for the suspect."

On Sunday, the Ogun State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Opeyemi Oluborode, confirmed the incident via a WhatsApp message. He said the command is working hard to find the suspect. Oluborode wrote, "The command is very much aware of the case and has seriously intensified efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspect."

Reports say this is the second deadly stabbing in the area. In February, a commercial motorcyclist was also stabbed to death by a member of a transport union tax collection group, known as agberos, after a disagreement over a N100 ticket. This incident led to protests by commercial motorcyclists in Lambe, Agbado, and Akute communities.