By Jungle-Journalist.com
A bloody clash has erupted in Ogheghe Community, along Sapele Road, Benin City, leaving at least one person dead and several others injured following the killing of a young man, Chigozie Ifeonu, popularly known as “Chizi Benz.”
What Triggered the Ogheghe Violence
The violence broke out after Ifeonu, 23, was reportedly stabbed in the chest during a heated disagreement involving a motorcycle hire-purchase deal gone wrong.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspect — said to be of Hausa origin — attacked the victim during a dispute, sparking a fierce reprisal by angry local youths.
The situation quickly degenerated into an ethnic confrontation between Benin indigenes and Hausa residents, as mobs took to the streets wielding weapons and setting fire to parts of the community.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents described the scene as chaotic, with gunshots, smoke, and people running for safety.
One eyewitness told reporters:
Shops, houses, and motorcycles were reportedly destroyed as the violence spread through the Ogheghe axis of Egor Local Government Area.
Police Response and Arrests
The Edo State Police Command swiftly deployed operatives to the area to restore order.
In an official statement, police confirmed the arrest of 13 suspects connected to the unrest and said normalcy had been restored.
“Normalcy has been restored to Ogheghe Community,” the statement read.
“A total of thirteen (13) suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.”
The police further disclosed that the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City, for a discreet investigation.
Victim Confirmed Dead at UBTH
Police confirmed that the deceased, Chigozie Ifeonu, was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where he was pronounced dead by doctors.
“He was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” the police report stated.
His remains have since been deposited in the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy as investigations continue.
Community Tension and Police Caution
The clash heightened tensions between locals and northern settlers in the area, prompting security agencies to mount heavy patrols to prevent further escalation.
Community leaders have appealed for calm and urged residents not to take the law into their hands, while police have warned against any form of reprisal or hate-motivated violence.
Ongoing Investigation
The Edo Police Command says all those involved will be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.
The command also encouraged witnesses to provide credible information to assist the ongoing probe into what is now officially treated as a case of homicide and public disturbance.
Background and Current Situation
As of Friday morning, calm had returned to Ogheghe, but residents remain uneasy, with many commercial operators avoiding the area.
Security presence remains visible, with police patrol vans stationed at strategic points along Siluko Road and adjoining streets.
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