Joy Anyim
A 20-year-old aluminum fabricator, Ismaila Bello has been stabbed to death during a fight with his friend, Adeosun Aderemi at Alasalatu Street in the Mushin area of Lagos.
The fight broke out over the conflicting interest the duo had in dating a lady identified simply as Funmilayo.
Bello who had been dating Fumilayo for close to one year was informed of an attempt by Aderemi to snatch his girlfriend.
Feeling betrayed, the deceased had confronted the suspect with the matter but was shocked when Aderemi told him to stay away from Fumilayo as he was also interested in her.
Not willing to let go, the deceased had continued his relationship with the said young lady, which further angered Aderemi.
Aderemi had gone to Bello’s place of work at Alasalatu with a group of boys on Monday November 5, 2018 to warn him when a fight ensued between the duo. Bello was stabbed in the neck. He lost so much blood and died before he could be rushed to the hospital.
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The Nigerian Xpress correspondent spoke with the father of the deceased, Mr. Mustapha Bello who was still in shock over the incident. According to him, he was only called and informed of his son’s death on the said day.
He said, “I had gone to work that day when my friend called me about 2pm to quickly come back home, that there was an emergency. I inquired what it was and after much hesitation, he told me my first son was dead.
“I rushed to his place of work, which was not far from my house and found my son lying lifeless on the ground. I asked what had happened and they told me he was stabbed by Aderemi during a street fight.”
Asked if his son had the tendency to be violent or if he was a cultist, his father said, “ My son was not a cultist and was never a troublesome type. The Aderemi who killed him is a boy I know, I would not know what business they had in common.”
Making confessional statement amidst tears and regret, 20-year-old Aderemi said he did not have the mind to kill the deceased.
“Although Bello was not my best friend, we were age grade and friends in same area. We are not cultists but had engaged in the normal youth street fight when I stabbed him with a knife.
“I even ran to get help after stabbing him but it was too late as he died almost immediately. The father reported to the police and I was arrested,” he said.
The case, which was first reported at the Mushin Police Division has since been transfered to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti in Yaba.
To confirm the report, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti was contacted for comments, he promised to get back to the reporter, but was yet to do so as at press time.
However, a source at SCIID who confirmed the incident said Aderemi and one other are in police custody for the murder of Bello.
Investigations are said to be at the concluding stage and suspects will be charged to court soon.