Man kills barber during argument over generator

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced
investigation into the murder of a 39-year-old
barber, Azeez Solanke, who was allegedly stabbed
to death by one Segun Daniel in the Ojo area of
Lagos State, on Thursday last week.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the deceased was
stabbed to death following an argument over his
generator.
Our correspondent, who visited the area, learnt
that the incident occurred around 10pm beside a
jetty at the Ebute area of Ojo.
The elder brother of the deceased, Razaq Solanke,
told PUNCH Metro that Daniel stabbed his brother
to death for no just cause.
He said, “On January 9, 2014, I had just come out
of the hotel, where I went to watch the GLO/CAF
Awards, when I saw a huge crowd. I was told
someone was stabbed to death, but I did not go
close to the scene. I just walked away.
“A few minutes later, someone informed me that it
was my younger brother that had been involved in
a fight with Segun (Daniel) and he had been
stabbed. I raced down to the scene and was told
that my brother’s killer had fled. I put my brother
into my car and drove to a hospital where he was
confirmed dead.”
PUNCH Metro learnt that irate youths marched
down to the family home of the suspect and laid
the corpse of the deceased at the entrance.
Our correspondent learnt that Daniel’s mother, who
is said to be the Iyaloja of the area, begged the
youths to let the law take its course.
It was learnt that the corpse was later deposited at
the Badagry General Hospital mortuary ,while the
matter was reported at the Ojo Police Division
which is located a street away from the scene of
the crime.
Narrating what transpired on the fateful day, Razaq
said, “My brother owns a barber’s shop in the
area. I was told that he had turned on his generator
for his customers and when it was late, he decided
to turn it off as he wanted to leave.
“However, Segun (Daniel) challenged him and told
him not to turn off the generator as he wanted to
still enjoy the electricity. This led to an argument
and subsequently, he stabbed my brother to
death.”
Residents told our correspondent that the suspect,
who is still at large, was known for harassing
residents as he was the leader of a faction of touts
at the Ojo Motor Park.
It was learnt that the suspect’s mother had been
arrested by the police with a view to making the
suspect come out of hiding.
A relative of the deceased, who did not identify
himself, described the incident as a great loss to
the family.
“Razaq was very talented. He was a footballer, a
professional boxer, an artist and also a barber. He
was due to travel to Europe this month where he
would start work. He was not married and we have
lost an illustrious son.
“Razaq did not fight with his killer because if he
did, he would have won. He was stabbed in the
neck from behind which means he was caught
unawares. We want the police to fish out his killer,”
he said.
When contacted on the telephone, Police Public
Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said she could not
get the DPO for details of the matter.

CULLED FROM PUNCH