Man kills stepbrother over N4,000 debt

A man identified as Lekan Lasisi has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command after a dispute with his stepbrother over a N4,000 debt led to the latter’s death in Abule Tuntun, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The incident occurred on December 19, when Lasisi reportedly confronted his stepbrother over his repeated borrowing and failure to repay debts. According to Lasisi, he had been frustrated by persistent demands from his brother’s creditors, who allegedly pressured him to settle the debts.

The confrontation escalated after the stepbrother allegedly threatened Lasisi with a cutlass. In response, Lasisi, who said he is a hunter, drew his gun, which accidentally discharged and struck his stepbrother, resulting in his death.

In an interrogation video shared on social media, Lasisi explained that on the day of the incident, his brother had gone to the market and owed N4,000 to one of his creditors. “When he came back from the market, I confronted him about his recurring debts and the embarrassment they caused the family,” Lasisi said. “He brought out a cutlass, and I drew my gun. I did not intend to kill him. The gun accidentally went off.”

Lasisi pleaded for mercy, noting the family’s vulnerable situation. “Our mother is aged, and our third sibling is bedridden and unable to care for her. I did not mean to kill him. I rushed to him immediately after the incident,” he said.

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Babseyi Oluseyi, confirmed the case and said it has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran for further investigation.

This is not the first fatal clash over a small sum in Nigeria. Last week, a family dispute over a N1,000 contribution led to the death of a 47-year-old man’s first cousin during a gathering in Ughelli South, Delta State.