Firdaus Obiremi
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old butcher, Selim Ayodele, popularly known as Abati, over the alleged stabbing to death of his 26-year-old colleague, Ibrahim Wasiu, following a disagreement at their workplace in Alagbole meat market.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday after the two butchers had completed their day’s work at a cow meat-selling outlet and became involved in an argument over sweeping the floor.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, explaining that the suspect was arrested following a prompt response by operatives after the incident was reported at Ajuwon Police Station at about 8pm.
According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigations indicated that the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Ayodele allegedly picked up a knife and stabbed Wasiu in the left side of his chest before twisting the weapon.
Babaseyi said the victim was immediately rushed to Life Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
His remains were subsequently deposited at Life Channel Private Mortuary, Lambe, Ajuwon, pending an autopsy.
In a video shared on the police spokesperson’s Facebook account, the suspect recounted how the disagreement allegedly degenerated into violence.
Ayodele claimed that the altercation started after he finished packing rubbish from the floor and was preparing to conclude his work.
He alleged that Wasiu initiated a fight, which he initially avoided, but the confrontation later escalated after a knife was brought into the dispute.
According to the suspect, he eventually picked up the knife and stabbed his colleague in the neck, adding that he subsequently went to the police station with another person who was present at the scene to report the incident.
“I didn’t think he would die,” the suspect said in the video, expressing regret over the incident.
He also appealed to members of the public to avoid violence and refrain from taking another person’s life over disagreements.
“I am not happy. I want to tell people not to do what I did. They shouldn’t kill anyone or have a bad mind towards others. It’s not good,” he said.
However, the police account identified the victim’s injury as a stab wound to the left side of the chest, while the suspect’s account in the video referred to the neck.
The discrepancy was not immediately explained in the police statement.
Babaseyi confirmed that Ayodele remained in police custody as investigations continued ahead of his prosecution.
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