Suspected Hausa butchers have reportedly stabbed to death an Igbo trader in Rivers State.
It was said that meat merchants from the northern region of the country stabbed their victim, who is also a butcher, to death on Sunday evening.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening at Obio/Akpor International Market, also known as Amaechi Market, located on Celestine Omehia Road in the state’s Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
According to reports, the late victim comes from an eastern state, while the others are from the South-South.
Mr. Amaechi, a market merchant, identified the late deceased as Ejike Enyadike.
Amaechi noted that the second victim was from Akwa Ibom State.
Another source, who requested anonymity, claimed the incident occurred at 11 a.m. on Sunday, following a disagreement over N500.
According to the report, the Hausa attackers, who numbered more than twenty, repeatedly attacked Ejike with daggers.
However, a woman at the market stated that they were frightened to help and that Ejike’s companion, who had intervened, had been stabbed in the ribs and is now in serious condition.
Mr. C.P. Oburu, Chairman of the Market, confirmed Ejike’s death on Sunday at the Rukpokwu Primary Health Centre.
Authorities from the local government region reportedly stopped the market to prevent additional breakdowns in law and order.
At press time, efforts to contact the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government, Dr. Gift Worlu, were futile because calls and messages left on his phones went unanswered.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, acknowledged the development but quickly added that the perpetrators remain unknown.
Iringe-Koko stated that one person died in the incident that caused panic in the market and that police were promptly mobilized to restore order.
The PPRO mentioned that the market has been cordoned off, adding that investigations are underway to unravel the killers.
She said, “The victim was stabbed by an unidentified person. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has already deployed tactical units to cordon off the market and to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to book. Investigation is ongoing. “
