I killed my cousin in self defence, 36-year old man recounts

A 36-year old man identified as Chukwudi (surname withheld) who was arrested by the police in Delta State for allegedly killing his cousin (name withheld), says he acted in self defence, Fresh Angle International can report.

Chukwudi who was paraded before journalists by the Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim at the police headquarters in Asaba, told journalists, “my intention was not to kill my brother, I acted in self defence as many of them wanted to kill me as well,” adding that he had a running quarrel with his family members as he did not know it would result to death of his cousin. 

He said that on the fateful day, he was cooking in the kitchen when the victim and other members of the family purportedly pounced on him, adding that he tried as much as possible to run, but was caged. 

“They used sticks and other items on me, they did not want to stop and I acted in defence, I’m begging for forgiveness, too much annoyance is not good, I have learnt my lessons, but the police should know the deceased and others were the ones who attempted to kill me”, he explained. 

However, the Delta State Police Commissioner, CP Zanna Ibrahim stated that the suspect, Chukwudi had a quarrel with his cousin over family land and he allegedly killed him with a dagger.

According to the Police Boss, the suspect during the scuffle stabbed the victim on his lower rib with a dagger and later escaped. 

“The suspect equally stabbed another person who was trying to mediate on the matter and the victim is presently receiving treatment in a private hospital,” Zanna alleged. 

Our Delta North Correspondent reports that Chukwudi was arrested following a report made to the police. The report prompted detectives to trace him to Okabiri Area, off Sakponba Road in Benin City, Edo State where he was arrested. 

Meanwhile, the family of a former Director in Delta State Direct Labour Agency (DLA) late Chief Lucky Ayamanor, who died in a mysterious circumstance, has accused the police of complicity.

But in a swift reaction, the Delta State Police Image Maker, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka said the police have no hand in the death of the victim, saying that policemen on patrol flagged down the victim’s Volvo Jeep and in the course of a search, they allegedly found an un-registered pump action gun loaded with live ammunition. 

He said the officers insisted that they take the matter to the police station and they asked the victim to drive his car with the exhibit to the station, but on their way, they noticed that the victim was uneasy. When they realized he was sick, they took him to the government hospital where he was purportedly confirmed dead by the doctors on duty. 

According to Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, the concerned officers were arrested and are presently undergoing interrogation. 

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