Phone dispute: How 16-yr-old student stabbed to death by roommate

 A 16-year-old Senior Secondary School student of Ugbaike Technical Secondary School, Enugu Ezike, in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, Chibueze Odo, has allegedly been killed by his roommate and friend in a shocking attack linked to a dispute over a mobile phone.

The tragic incident occurred Saturday evening at Obollo Afor, where the teenager combined his studies with apprenticeship work.

Sources told our correspondent that Chibueze was allegedly lured to the scene by his roommate, identified simply as Arinze, who is believed to be over 25 years old. 

The suspect was said to be in the company of two other persons when the deceased arrived with his immediate elder brother, Nnanna.

According to family sources, the assailants had expected Chibueze to come alone and allegedly attempted to attack his brother when they discovered he had accompanied the victim.

“Chibueze was stabbed on the neck on Saturday evening at Obollo Afor, where he was also a part time apprentice. He was stabbed on the neck by his friend and roommate who invited him to the scene and killed him,” the source alleged.

Investigations revealed that the dispute stemmed from a mobile phone which Arinze had reportedly given to Chibueze after the latter lost his own device.

The suspect allegedly told police investigators at Obollo Afor that the phone was faulty when he handed it over. He said Chibueze spent N13,000 to repair the device and another N1,500 on a memory card, bringing the total amount spent to N14,500.

Trouble reportedly started when Arinze demanded the return of the phone, but Chibueze insisted on being reimbursed the money he had invested in repairing it.

Police sources quoted the suspect as saying: “I asked him to give me my phone and he said he needed his refund. When he turned around to leave, I stabbed him on the neck.”

However, relatives of the deceased alleged that the attack was more brutal than described, claiming that Chibueze was stabbed several times in the neck after being lured to the location.

“He left his workplace after receiving an invitation from someone he trusted as a friend and roommate. Unknown to him, he was walking into a trap. They invited him there and killed him,” a family source said.

The decease’s father, Mr. Chirote Odo of the Ukwuagbudu area of Ugbaike, could not be reached for comment at press time.

Meanwhile, Chibueze’s remains have been deposited at a Mortuary in Obollo Afor, for autopsy, while police authorities have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

At press time,  the police had yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

Culled from Vanguard