How N10 cigarette landed man in police cell

A twenty four-year-old middle aged man, Kunle Oyebanji, who allegedly stabbed a petty trader  and attempted to kill him around Idimu area of Alimosho in Lagos State, over a disagreement on N10 cigarettes, has been arrested by the police.

The suspect, who allegedly escaped from the scene of the incident, was arrested by operatives at Idimu police station, after the victim, identified simply as Musa, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was treated.

Oyebanji was, until  the incident, a regular buyer of cigarette at the victim’s kiosk at 1, Pipeline Street around Idimu  Egbeda  and he had reportedly, on several occasions, bought sticks of cigarettes, without paying to the victim

The police have since arraigned the suspect before an Ejigbo Magistrate Court, where he was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties.

Crime & Security gathered that the arrested Oyebamji had, on the day of the incident, approached Musa and asked him to give him a stick of cigarette which the latter refused, insisting that the suspect paid the earlier money owed.

A police source at Idimu, while speaking with  Crime & Security the victim in his statement, had accused the suspect of buying provisions on credit from him and that his efforts to get the money had been futile.

Musa reportedly  told the  police  that he had stopped demanding for his money following the series of threat and constant assault from the suspect, who insisted that he would get what he wanted from the victim, with or without money.

“The victim told us that the suspect came to his kiosk on the particular day and asked to be given a stick of cigarette, worth N10, but the he refused, insisting that he (Oyebanji) must pay, before he could be given the cigarette,” the police source said.

He added that Oyebanji forcefully picked a packet of the cigarette and picked a stick and a lighter and sat beside the kiosk and smoked, even while Musa was trying to make him pay for the product.

An attempt by Musa to collect his money led to a serious argument and a brawl between the suspect and the victim , prompting Oyebamji to bring out a knife from his pocket and stabbed Musa repeatedly in many parts of his body

The suspect, on seeing the victim on floor in the pool of blood, escaped from the area but residents who were watching the scenario quickly rushed Musa to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Tribune