The Edo State Police Command has arrested a Togolese national, Michael Agbalo, 35, for allegedly killing one Maharazu Umar, over a rift at work.
The suspect was said to have contracted Umar to assist him in a construction work when a misunderstanding ensued and in the process killed the victim.
The state command’s spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, said one Clement Obagbikoko, reported the case at Etete Division, Benin.
Obagbikoko said he hired the suspect to carry out construction works in his compound and the suspect later brought the deceased who assisted him to do the job.
“When they finished he was paid and he was asked the whereabouts of Umar, he replied that he had left but while Clement’s wife was inspecting the job at about 7pm, she found Umar’s body within the compound.
“We immediately called the suspect to come to the house and he was arrested,” he added.
The PPRO said the suspect had confessed that he killed the deceased with a hammer, adding that the corpse had been deposited at the hospital. He further said the suspect would be charged to court soon.
In an interview with journalists, the suspect said he contracted Umar to assist him in his work but ended up killing him over a misunderstanding.
He said, “After we finished our work, I asked him to wash the shovel but he said he wouldn’t do it and in the process, we started quarreling. He picked up a cutlass and I hit him on his head with a hammer because he would have attacked me with the cutlass”
“When I hit him, he fell down and I left him there. But, I regret hitting him with a hammer now that he is dead,” he added.
