Soldier kills trader over price of carpet in Akure

A soldier allegedly stabbed a 27-year-old trader to death over the price of a carpet in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Saturday.

The incident reportedly happened at the Arakale area of Akure metropolis and led to the blockage of major roads in the area by some aggrieved traders and colleagues of the deceased.

According to an eyewitness, who identified himself as Chibuka, trouble started when the deceased tried to stop the man from beating and harassing a co-trader, who is a nursing mother, over the price of a carpet.

He said the interference led to an argument between the deceased and the “customer.”

“The ‘customer’ suddenly came down from the bike, brought out a dagger, and stabbed the deceased in the stomach.

“The stabbed trader fell to the ground while the ‘customer’ took to his heels upon realizing that his victim had lost consciousness,” he said.

SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident to newsmen, and said that the remains of the deceased had been taken to the morgue.

“Yes, the police can confirm the stabbing of a young man by a man believed to be a soldier. The command is in touch with the military authority so that the culprit(s) can be identified and arrested,” the PPRO said.