70-year-old Ibadan butcher beaten to death

A 70-year-old butcher, simply identified as Yekeen Alaja has reportedly been beaten to death in Ibadan, the Oyo State.

The incident happened during an argument on Thursday, May 16, at the Moniya Abattoir in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.

Alaja was allegedly beaten to death by a fellow butcher known as Mutiu Balogun, aged 47, popularly called Mutiu Iroko, Punch reports.

 Eyewitnesses told the publication that the incident occurred in the afternoon inside the butchers’ market. 

The deceased’s family member, Musiliu Alaja, said, “There was a misunderstanding between the suspect and the victim’s younger brother, one Yisau Alaja.

“So, the suspect went to lodge a complaint to the deceased as the head of the family around the market, and instead of the suspect to calmly state his position, he started raining curses and abusive words. This later generated an argument. 

“It was at this point that the deceased cautioned him, but instead of him maintaining decorum, he bounced back and started punching the deceased until he collapsed. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead and the corpse has been deposited in the morgue.”

Another eyewitness said, “The issue wouldn’t have generated a controversy if they had listened to other traders who were trying to resolve the matter. Now, it has claimed one life. May God repose his soul.” 

The suspect, Mutiu Iroko, has reportedly been arrested by the combined team of Amotekun operatives and the police from the Moniya Divisional Police Headquarters for interrogation.