A fifteen-year-old boy, Chukwudi Ohanesim, his parents, Kelechi and Emilian including his sister, Uju, are currently in the homicide section of the Imo State Police Command over an alleged stabbing of their neighbour, one Ikechukwu Uzowunne, to death.
The victim, a 22-year-old fresh graduate of Environmental Health from the Imo State University, Owerri, hailed from Odemegwe in the Obowo Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told SUNDAY PUNCH that he was living with his parents at Nkwo Orji, near Owerri, where he was reportedly stabbed to death by his neighbour, Chukwudi, on December 30.
According to the deceased’s elder brother, Chibueze Uzowunne, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday in tears, Ikechukwu was stabbed to death by Chukwudi with support from his (suspect’s) parents and sister.
He said that Chukwudi’s father, a caretaker at the house they were living, had approached him in the morning of December 30 and accused him of owing him N27, 000.
Chibueze, who could not hold back tears as he spoke, added that while he was trying to inquire how he owed him the amount, the caretaker’s family members came out and pounced on him.
He said while being beaten by the family of four, the alarm he raised attracted the attention of Ikechukwu who was in the room with their father.
Chibueze further said his younger brother came to rescue him but he was immediately grabbed by the caretaker, while Chukwudi went inside, took a knife and stabbed him on the chest.
“He died instantly as blood started gushing out of his chest. The suspect fled the scene immediately, ’’ he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the incident said the suspects would be charged to court.
Enwerem said, “Following a distress call, operatives of the command arrived the scene of the crime. The victim was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. The deceased and the suspects were living in the same compound.”