Bricklayer hacks neighbour to death over generator fumes

A 29-year-old bricklayer, Ibrahim Tijani, has hacked to death his neighbour, Bashorun Okanla, for complaining about fumes emanating from his generator.

The incident happened in the Okun Ajah, Ogombo area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect, an indigene of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and the deceased lived in an uncompleted building.

On the fateful day, Tijani was said to have turned on his generator around 11am, while the fumes escaped into the room of the 57-year-old carpenter.

Okanla, who was married with kids, was said to have cautioned Tijani and later, an argument started between them.

The argument was said to have degenerated into a fight and in the ensuing brawl, the suspect picked a cutlass from his room and cut the victim in the hand and leg.

He was rushed to a hospital in the area where he reportedly gave up the ghost.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the police from the Ogombo division recovered the cutlass used in committing the crime.

He said, “It was on February 8, 2015 around 11am. The suspect and the deceased were neighbours. They both lived in an uncompleted building, which I learnt was owned by a Nigerian based in the USA.

“Tijani turned on his generator and the fumes escaped into the room of Okanla, who dashed out and asked him to take away the generator from the place, but he refused. That was how they began fighting and dragged themselves into the bush.

“The man then picked a sharp cutlass and cut the deceased in the hand and leg and ran away.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect ran to the Ogombo Police Station to evade the wrath of residents.

They were said to have followed him there and told the police what had happened, leading to Tijani’s arrest.

It was learnt that Tijani, when interrogated by the police, confessed to the crime, adding that he had had a misunderstanding with the deceased before the incident.

He said, “On Sunday, I turned on my generator and when Baba Ade (Okanla) asked me to turn it off, I refused. Then he used a stick to hit me and we started fighting.

“A neighbour came and separated us and asked me to sit down beside him. But Baba Ade still went and destroyed my generator. I became angry and went inside my house and picked my cutlass. I used it on him.”

Our correspondent learnt that the deceased’s corpse had been deposited in a mortuary.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, said the police had started investigation into the case.

He said, “Confirmed. Case transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation for further investigation.”