Woman kills brother in-law

By GILBERT EKEZIE and CHIOMA IGBOKWE

Hell was let loose on Tuesday on Ladega Street in Olodi Apapa area of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, as angry residents revolted against the killing of a 32-year-old optician and the medical director of Lens Craft Eye Clinic, Olodi Apapa, Dr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, by his sister-in-law, identified as Obiageri.

The assailant, a mother of three children allegedly stabbed the victim, described as the younger brother of her husband, to death with a penknife, at their family house located on 52 Ladega Street, following a misunderstanding.

The incident, which occurred at about 10am on Tuesday, took the Oriuwa family from Okwelle Okigwe, Imo State, residents and neighbours by surprise, as no one thought that a little quarrel could lead to murder.

Trouble ensued when the suspect’s generator, which she used in her shop in the building, caught fire. The victim, it was gathered, confronted his sister-in-law, cautioning her against carelessness that could set the building ablaze. The woman reportedly got angry and challenged the victim.

It was gathered that when the victim saw that the matter was getting out of hand, he retired to his room, but the suspect stormed his room and started smashing his property.

In the process of trying to stop the suspect, whose husband was said to reside abroad, she allegedly pulled a knife, stabbed the victim on the hands and stomach and fled.

Sources stated that the victim was rushed to Zollinger Hospital on Taiwo Street, Olodi Apapa, where he was confirmed dead.

A witness revealed that after stabbing the victim, the suspect ran to Tolu Police Station to report that she had been assaulted by a man. But while she was making the report, tenants in the building also came to the police station to report the death of the optician and the police arrested and detained the woman.

Following his death, youths in the area went on rampage, setting property belonging to the suspect on fire.

Meanwhile, the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti, Yaba, while the body of the medical doctor has been deposited in an undisclosed mortuary.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, DSP Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident and said investigation was ongoing.

“Yes, I have heard about the matter, but we are still investigating it,” she stated.