Migrant trader hacked to death over 'Salah levy'

A migrant trader simply identified as ‘Ismail’ has been reportedly hacked to death over his refusal to pay authorized Eid-el-fitr ‘Salah levy’ that was imposed on him by miscreants in Edo State.

The tragedy struck on late Friday April 12, 2024 in Ikpoba Community near one of the abattoirs in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the State where late Ismail resisted his attackers.

TheNewspad reports that three other persons sustained injured when Mr Victor Obazee (at large), led a group of thugs to the victim’s house in the locality.

Relatives of the victim and residents of the area told TheNewspad that was hacked to death for rejecting attempts to compel him to part with undisclosed cash.

Irked by the street brawl,
irate youths numbering 10 who wielded dangerous weapons, swooped on the victim
who was preparing his Salah food shortly after he returned home from shopping on that day.

One of the injured migrant trader who had a broken skull, Hafiz alleged that he was beaten and wounded by miscreants with wood and cudgels, noted that the late Ismail was his brother.

Chief Eghobamien who testified to the crime, alleged that the fugitive is one of the sons of Ohen Ehue N’ Ikpoba, fled his home before the arrival of police operatives, arrested the traditional Priest in connection with the incident.

Eghobamien who lives in the area confirmed the incident, and alleged that Ismail was one of the youths, Mr Atalo, strangled the victim on his neck and died on his way to hospital facility for medical attention.

He appealed to security agencies, Edo State government and the Oba of Benin to intervene by ensuring that perpetrators of this heinous crime are punished.

According to him, “Migrants are human beings. God created all of us. If they offend you, go and report them to their leader instead of twisting his neck. It is wrong for indegenes to mobilize tenants to attack somebody. I had personally warned those boys to be careful, but they wouldn’t listen”.

“If you advice their father (Ohen Ehue) to call his Children to order, he will ignore you. I want the government to bring them to book.

Corroborating Chief Eghobamien’s view, a youth leader in the area, Mr Osamudiamen Odigie, lamented the oppressive tendencies of the miscreants and recalled how he took one of the fugitives to court and defeated him for destroying a shop in the locality in the past.

The Chairman of Arewa Community, Ikpoba slope, who gave his first name as ‘Aminu’, said he was praying at his residence when his attention was drawn to the tragedy which he discovered when he arrived the scene.

Aminu, called for investigation and prosecution of the culprits behind the murder and lamented incessant attacks on the traders by miscreants.

He said, “When Victor led youths to my house. They told him that I was praying on my room. After observing my prayers I went to meet them outside where he complained that they assaulted him and his boys”.

A short footage of the deceased that was seen by TheNewspad.com, some migrant youths can be heard praying and making chants when Ismail was being evacuated in a vehicle.

A dependable source at the Nigeria Police Command in Edo State, told TheNewspad that the Commissioner has ordered the transfer of the case file to headquarters, while some suspects have are currently in police custody in connection with alleged crime.