There was pandemonium in Okemorosun, Magbon, Badagry area of Badagry Local Government Area, when a man, Daduro Afefe, allegedly beat one Saliu Ambali to death with charm during a scuffle.
It was gathered that the incident occurred shortly after the deceased, who was a commercial driver, arrived from work in the night.
Residents, who spoke with our correspondent, said that after Saliu got back from work, he decided to join some friends in the area, where they normally discussed in the evening, before the sad event occurred.
It was learnt that an altercation later ensued between two of his friends, Baba Rotimi and Daduro, and other friends attempted to settle the matter.
In the heat of the scuffle, an object alleged to be a charm, which Daduro raised and attempted to hit Baba Rotimi with, landed on Saliu, who immediately collapsed and died.
A friend of the deceased, Atolagbe Adetoyi, who witnessed the tragic drama, recounted the sad event.
According to him, “The fact that my friend is gone still seems like a dream. I am yet to believe it. On that day, Saliu and a few of us, all friends, sat somewhere and we were discussing. Suddenly, the wife of the elder brother to one of us ran to us calling for help.
“She said that Afefe and his friend (name unknown) were about to beat up her husband. We hurriedly went to the rescue of the old man, Baba Rotimi. We asked what happened and we were told that Afefe sat in a tricycle to smoke weed with his friend. The rider told them to excuse him as he was about to resume business, but the refused.
“The rider, who is also not a troublesome man, we call him pastor, came to call Baba Rotimi, as an elder, to intervene in the matter, and it was while he was trying to caution the boys that they started raining insults on him and threatening to beat him up.
“We ordered the boys to leave the old man, and warned them against such unruly behavior. This didn’t go down well with them, as they tried to pick a fight with us. Saliu even called Afefe telling him to desist from causing trouble.
“Afefe wanted to pick a fight with Saliu, but neighbours pleaded with the deceased to overlook his action. The matter was settled and we went back to where we were sitting and continued our discussion.
“Suddenly, Afefe appeared from nowhere, walked to Saliu, and was about to punch him when one of us blocked the punch with his hand. Immediately, the man’s hand became numb and stiff. Since then, the man has not been able to do anything with that hand.
“The second punch landed on Saliu’s stomach, and he immediately fell to his knees, and then lay face down. When we raised his head, he was white; it was as though all the blood in his body had dried up.
“He died immediately while Afefe, who knew what he had done, ran away. We searched every known place for him but to no avail. We were, however, lucky to get his accomplice and we handed him over to policemen at Morogbo Police Station.”
Although the corpse of the deceased had been released to his family for burial, family are friends have been demanding the arrest of the fleeing alleged killer.
“What we want is for the police to arrest Afefe. He is a notorious criminal as we later heard that he was into armed robbery, among other criminal acts. We want justice for our friend. We want the Lagos State Government to take over the matter and let the suspects pay for their crime,” Adetoyi added.
Distraught wife of the deceased, Silifat Ambali, managed to speak to our correspondent.
Silifat, who described her hubby as a peace-loving fellow, a devoted Muslim, a caring father to his two children, and a loving husband, also demanded justice.
Speaking on how she found out about her husband’s death, she said, “On the day the incident happened, I was at home when someone ran to tell me that my husband was dying.
“I asked what happened and where; they led me to Marwa Park. When I got there, he was gone. I later heard that a boy hit him with a ring laced with charm, which killed him immediately. The boy has since fled. One thing I know is that there is God, and I leave this battle to him. I will also appreciate if the police can fish him out of his hiding. He has to be punished for what he has done. ”
Meanwhile, information gathered from residents of the area revealed that Afefe is a suspected cultist, who only come to the area to hide after committing heinous crimes elsewhere.
A resident, who didn’t want his name mentioned, said, “We are now leaving in fear in the area. Boys, who have taken to smoking weed, are always in different corners. We fear for our lives and that of our children. If you decide to inform the police, after they are arrested, they are released and they return to the area.
“They will even be bragging that no one can touch them; that when they are arrested, they will be released and you will keep seeing them.
“Even the so called Afefe, I don’t even know where he lives or who he lives with. We only see him smoking weed with his friends at a particular spot. Some people even alleged he robs houses whenever he comes to the area.
“With what has happened, we want the police to start frequenting this area. We want them to raid criminal hideouts in the area. None is above the law; so everyone who wants to make this area uncomfortable for us must be dealt with according to the law.”
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, could not be reached as at press time.
