Youngster murdered over N2, 000 in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three persons – Matthew Gbenga , 23year old; Adekoya Ayobami, 24 year old and Sodiqe Green, 22 year old – for stabbing one Gabriel Boge to death over N2,000 in Itupete area of Ikorodu.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and his three friends were gambling and had put down the sum of N500 each. Late Gabriel was said to have won the game which earned him the whole N2000.

The three suspects who were unhappy with his victory had picked a fight with him. Matthew alleged picked a scissors with which he stabbed the deceased on the neck. The trio had quickly rushed the deceased to a nearby hospital where he gave up the ghost.

According to Matthew who is the prime suspect, late Gabriel was the cause of the whole trouble. He alleged that after the deceased had won the game, he started making jest of them for losing to him.

Narrating the incident that led to the death of the 24 year old, Matthew said: “ it was on Saturday, on the eve of Oro celebration. We were all gathered at the community square. As usual, we the youths were just gambling to kill time before the festival proper begins. Four of us were playing the card game and we had set N500 each. Luckily for Gabriel, he won the game.

“I didn’t have a problem with him winning the game until he started mocking us. He disrespected us in the presence of other youths and that got us angry. I told him to stop the nonsense he was saying and just leave but he refused. He was even singing which made it more painful. I then stood up and pushed him. He also did same and he asked me if I wanted to fight with him. I told him I won’t fight with him but I will beat him up.

“Immediately he ran to a makeshift where empty bottles were parked, he picked one, broke it , ran towards me and stabbed me on the head. In self defence, I also picked a scissors close to me and stabbed him on the neck. People around intervened but it was too late. We were both bleeding but after some time he lost consciousness. We quickly rushed him to a private hospital but it was too late he was confirmed dead on arrival. I didn’t kill him intentionally; I was only trying to defend myself too.” He stated.

Ayobami however denied being a part of those gambling. He claimed he had only gone out that evening to hang out with other youths, but was arrested by policemen from the Ijede police division and falsely accused of been a party to the murder of Gabriel.

He said, “Gabriel is my friend and I had absolutely no misunderstanding with him. While they were gambling, I was just watching. I even tried to stop him from fighting with Matthew but he refused. We all are friends and it was on that ground I had to intervene when they were fighting.”

Eyewitness accounts have it that the suspects belong to a notorious gang that have been terrorizing the community. they are said to have being constituting nuisance in the community. A man who gave his name as Mr. Yusuf said even the deceased had been alleged severally of defrauding innocent people.

He said, ” I really wish the police can even come do a thorough raid here, these boy are terrors. They have fought severally before now and have injured themselves. We often do not intervene because if you do, you automatically get a beating of your life. For me, they all got what they wanted.”

When contacted to confirm the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole denied any of such incident in the said area.

Our correspondent, however, gathered that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations department for further investigations.