A 43-year-old man, Jimoh Moruf has reportedly been stabbed to death by his cousin over levy at Igbokusu village in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The deceased and his cousin, one Lateef Rauf, 41, were said to be manning a road block, collecting levy from articulated vehicles conveying goods in and out of their community.
Argument was said to have ensued between the two brothers over the money they collected from the articulated vehicles coming into their community.
An eye witness, Mr. Kunle Adebayo, said the cousins were at the bus stop collecting money from vehicles, but suddenly argument ensued between them.
He said: “I saw the two of them shouting at each other, but what prompted it I couldn’t say. I stood up and went to pacify both of them and went back to my workshop.
“Suddenly, one of my apprentices rushed in to call me that Rauf had stabbed Moruf on the eye, chest and hand. I and some other residents dashed out to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.
“Before we got back to the village, Rauf had absconded. Fortunately, some youths of the community were able to fish him out from his hiding place. He has been handed over to the police at Langbasa police division for appropriate prosecution.
“Unfortunately, they are both cousins working for the community. It still baffles me what led to him stabbing his brother to death. The deceased has since been buried according to Islamic rites.”
Another resident who didn’t want his name in print, said he believed the cause of the clash would be sharing of money. “What else will cause it”, he asked?
That sunny afternoon, he said, is a day he would always remember. “The spot where Moruf was lying after he was stabbed was full of blood. When I pass through there, it always reminds me of him and his cousin.”
He said: “I was going out that fateful day, when I saw them shouting at each other, I thought it was a minor issue. It was when I came back in the evening that I was told Rauf had stabbed Moruf, I was shocked.
“I was told they were fighting because of money. I don’t know why a brother would decide to stab his own blood because of money. That’s where we found ourselves in Nigeria. The assailant is with the police.
“What we usually face in the community was the issue of land grabbers, but for some period now, it has reduced before this unfortunate incident happened. I pray God consoles the family and parents of the deceased.”
When our correspondent visited Moruf’s family house in the community, some sympathisers were seen gathered to mourn with his wife and other family members.
According to the deceased friend, Abiodun, he was in Epe, where he went to work when another friend called him to tell him about Moruf’s death. He said he had to leave what he was doing to rush down.
When our correspondent tried to see the deceased wife, she was said to be sleeping, as she had been unable to sleep for days.
“Please let’s allow her to sleep, she has not been able to sleep for days now, we are still mourning the death of her husband. It was a painful incident to us all.
“People have been coming to sympathise with her since the incident happened, as a result of that, she was unable to sleep well, we don’t want to disturb her, if we wake her up now she may not sleep again. Please don’t be annoyed.”
The suspect was said to have been arrested with the intervention of the local vigilantes and youths before he was handed over to the police.
“Before he was arrested, he was just weeping, he knew he had made a terrible mistake, that was why he was crying. At a point, those of us who went to arrest him, pitied him. I believe there is much to the incident than meets the eyes. But I pray the incident will not divide both families.”
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the Langbasa Police Division received information that two cousins identified as Lateef Rauf, 41 and Maruf Jimoh, 43, engaged themselves in a physical combat at Igbokusu community in Eti -Osa Local Government Area.”
He said they both engaged each other over levy imposed on articulated vehicles, conveying goods into their community.
“During the scuffle, Rauf allegedly stabbed Maruf on his eye, chest and hand, which made Maruf to bleed to death, while Rauf took to his heels and the scene was visited by officers of Langbasa Police Division, photographs of the deceased was taken, the corpse was immediately buried according to Islamic rite.”
He, however, said normalcy was restored in the community and efforts intensified and resulted into the arrest of the assailant, while investigation is ongoing on the matter.
