Okey Sampson, Aba
A 26-year-old man, Chidiebere, over the weekend in Aba, Abia State, stabbed his 27-year-old cousin identified as Chisom, to death over N500.
Chisom, until his death last Friday, reportedly lived with his aunt, Chidiebere’s mother, who operates an eatery in the Ogbor Hill axis of Aba and was said to have shared the same room with Chidiebere.
It was gathered that on Thursday last week, Chisom’s aunt went to the market to buy things and asked the deceased to take charge of the business while she was away.
Immediately the woman went out, Chidiebere was reported to have entered into the shop and demanded that Chisom should give him N500 he learnt someone who owed his mother had paid.
The deceased was reported to have refused to give his cousin the money, insisting that it was for his mother. Chidiebere was said to have insisted the money must been given to him and after heated argument, the deceased gave him the money.
When Chidiebere’s mother returned from the market, Chisom was said to have narrated to her what happened. A source close to the family said Chidiebere, who became infuriated that his mother was informed of the development, vowed to deal with Chisom.
The source further stated that the deceased did not take the threat as anything serious and in the night, after supper, they went to bed.
At about 1am, Chidiebere was said to have awoken, reached for a dagger he hid somewhere in the room and stabbed Chisom, who was fast asleep, close to the heart twice.
The incident was said to have happened around Ebiogwu Street, Ogbor Hill. Chisom was rushed to a clinic in the Federal Housing Estate where a doctor pronounced him dead.
It was gathered that after stabbing his cousin to death, Chidiebere went back to their house to sleep, not minding the consequences of his action. He was still sleeping when youths from the estate stormed the house, apprehended him and handed him over to operatives at the Azuka Police Station.
When our correspondent visited the police station, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) was away. However, a senior police that did not want his name in print confirmed the incident and said the matter had been transferred to Umuahia, the capital of the state.