Man goes berserk, beheads 3 over over Bitter Leaf in Edo

A three-year-old boy was one of the three persons killed by a man identified simply as Alhaji at Ogo Quarters, Ibillo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, after a quarrel over the ownership of a bitter leaf plant in their compound.

The other victims, a girl named Favour and a man, Aliu Ademo, were also hacked to death by Alhaji, an Igbira man from Kogi State.


According to reports, trouble brewed when the assailant reportedly had a heated quarrel with the girl over the bitter leaf plant in the compound, which he allegedly plucked without the consent of the owner, a conduct which apparently angered Favour, who is daughter of the owner of the vegetable plant.

An eyewitness who narrated the sordid incident, said the suspect was so enraged at the effrontery of the girl to challenge him that he dashed into his room and came out with a cutlass with which he beheaded the girl.

“Alhaji who is from Igbira, came out with a cutlass and beheaded the girl. Mr. Aliu saw what happened and started shouting, Alhaji ran after Isaac the little boy, to kill him but Aliu pursued him in order to save the boy. But he succeeded in matcheting both the small boy and Mr Aliu.

He decided to kill the man because the man came to save the little boy. The boy was rushed to the hospital because he was unconscious and not dead after the assault but we later died this morning (Monday). Alhaji is on the run now but the police is looking for him.”

The state Police Command spokesperson, DSP Stephen Onwechei, confirmed the incident, describing it as barbaric.

"The suspect is currently on the run but we are on his trail. He will be arrested. He abandoned his cutlass and took off after the killing. When people came around to stop him, he matcheted them including the three year old child.

I understand he previously had a quarrel with the mother of the child over the ownership of the bitter leaf in the compound. That is madness but we must arrest him no matter how far he tries to run. He must face justice for his wicked act.”