R.I.P! Businessman Killed For Refusing To Settle Area Boys

A businessman, Charles Ugwu, has been killed in the Ajegunle area of Lagos, over his refusal to settle some street urchins, popularly known as area boys.

The incident was said to have occurred at Uzor Street, Ajegunle, on September 24 2013. A tyre dealer, Ugwu was said to have been accosted by two area boys, identified as Saturday and Chimezie, while offloading goods from a vehicle to his shop.

The deceased’s wife, Stella, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, told PUNCH Metro that her husband had resisted the thugs’ efforts to extort money from him resulting in the assault on her husband.

She said, “Around 9pm on that day, two young men, known as Saturday and Chimezie, accosted us saying they would not allow us to continue working until we settle them.

“We asked them why we should pay them because the goods had nothing to do with the hoodlums. Saturday was “annoyed; he walked away only to return with stones, which he threw at us. When my husband cautioned him to stop causing trouble, Saturday picked up a “stick and struck Ugwu on the neck.”

Ugwu was said to have fallen to the ground while all efforts to revive him failed.

PUNCH Metro learnt that immediately after Ugwu was killed, the Divisional Police Officer of Ajegunle Police Station, Mr. Abayomi Agbana, was contacted. Agbana was said to have dispatched policemen to the area and the two suspects were arrested.

The bereaved wife lamented the hardship that had been brought on the family due to her husband’s death.

She said, “Who will train my children for me? Ugwu was a good father and husband; he was much too young to die. We loved each other so much. How can my three children be fatherless at these ages? Our first is just 15 years old. The second is 12 years and the last child is nine. These hoodlums have wiped out the joy of my life.”

In his statement at the police station, Saturday claimed that he actually demanded money from the businessman but had nothing to do with his death.

He said while demanding money from Ugwu, Stella told her husband not to part with any money.

Saturday claimed that at that instant, Stella held his singlet. He alleged that Chimezie and the deceased were trying to appeal to Stella to let go of the suspect when the businessman suddenly collapsed.

He insisted that neither him nor his accomplice had fought Ugwu.

Chimezie was also said to have alleged, in his statement, that he was trying to appeal to Stella when her husband suddenly collapsed. He claimed that no form of violence had been used on the deceased.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos, for further investigation.

The victim’s younger brother, Francis, said the family was ready to bury the corpse but police had yet to release the body.

He said, “The police have insisted that the autopsy report must be done before the body would be released.”

Detectives at the SCID have however blamed the ongoing doctors’ strike for the delay.

A detective, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity on Tuesday, said, “Many bereaved families have been complaining since the doctors strike started. This is because they want to bury their loved ones but cannot take away their corpses because autopsy reports have not been done. The situation is worrisome and embarrassing in some cases.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Ngozi Braide, said she would call back when contacted for information on the case. She had yet to do so as of 8pm.
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Posted: at 16-10-2013 11:04 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

this is set of people Governor Fashola suppose to wipe out of Lagos metropolis

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Posted: at 17-10-2013 12:00 AM (10 years ago) | Hero

What wicked pple we have! Jst bcos of how much? Afterall they didnt look 4 d money with him

Posted: at 17-10-2013 12:13 AM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

Laziness has made so many young men a convict.

Posted: at 17-10-2013 12:26 AM (10 years ago) | Addicted Hero

It is quite unfortunate how this man died,but I agree with you on this.Many husbands have died as a result of fight caused by their wives,some women are just too meddlesome,she should have allowed her husband to settle with the area boys.I know area boys are annoying most times,but they pose no real threat when you discuss with them in the language they understand,a packet of cigarette or 100 naira and some broken English and slum slangs could have settled the matter.

Posted: at 17-10-2013 01:18 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Little sacrifices do save lives. It is an adage for the wise. Give to Caesar what  belongs to him, and give God what belongs to him. This story is pathetic but it is a great lesson for everyone , we must be wise. Wisdom is the principal thing says the word of God. May God keep the leftbehind and  console his family.

Posted: at 17-10-2013 01:44 AM (10 years ago) | Newbie

Eyah. Ripp Man

Posted: at 17-10-2013 07:06 AM (10 years ago) | Upcoming

it is a sad story even when Anabra state is taking Fashola to court, everybody can now see why street urnchers should be removed.
If they had allowed Fasola, May the man wouldn't have died

Posted: at 17-10-2013 07:52 AM (10 years ago) | Newbie

na wa

Posted: at 17-10-2013 08:50 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac

R.I.P

Posted: at 17-10-2013 09:23 AM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac