Shopkeeper kills Lagos motorcyclist over bottled water

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old shopkeeper, Ekanem Enodan, for allegedly killing a commercial motorcyclist, Goddonu Nicolas, during an altercation in Oke-Ira in the Ogba area of the state.

Our correspondent gathered that the 46-year-old was killed over a bottle of water he picked from Enodan’s shop on Ajayi Road, Oke-Ira.

It was learnt that the suspect allegedly hit Nicolas with the bottled water on the chest, saying he took it without his permission.

Our correspondent gathered that the victim fell and became unconscious, after which he was rushed to the Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

It was gathered that the matter was reported at the Pen-Cinema Police Division and Enodan was arrested.

When PUNCH Metro visited Ajayi Road on Monday, a commercial motorcyclist, who gave his name only as Chuka, said the deceased was suspected to be drunk on the day of the incident.

He said, “The suspect lives in an estate in the OPIC area of Ogun State, but his shop is in Oke-Ira. He is from Calabar, Cross River State. Nicolas and his younger brother went to the man’s shop on Wednesday, around 10.30pm.

“They were all discussing when an argument ensued. Nicolas took a bottle of water, but the shopkeeper collected it from him and hit him with it on the chest. He slumped. We rushed him to a public hospital where he died.

“Nicolas had five children. We suspect that he was drunk on that day before coming to the shop because of the way he was talking. The deceased had always come to the suspect’s shop to play and buy things.

“The fight started after Nicolas picked the bottle of water; and it started like a child’s play until Nicolas fell and became unconscious. It was the deceased’s brother who reported the incident at the police station.”

Our correspondent learnt that the case had been transferred from the division to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.

Efforts to get Nicolas’ family members as of the time of filing this report were  unsuccessful as they were said to have left the area.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident.

She added that the victim’s corpse had been deposited in a morgue for autopsy.

She said, “The victim was hit with a bottle by the suspect during a quarrel. The suspect is in police custody.

“The victim was rushed to the Ifako General Hospital where he later died. The corpse has been deposited in the hospital’s morgue for autopsy.”