A 28- year - old man , John Okoye , has allegedly killed his elder brother, Osita , 34 , for stripping their mother.
The incident occurred at Umuchibu in Awba - Ofemili , Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The deceased, identified as a farmer and the first son of the family , was reportedly murdered during a scuffle between him and his younger brother in their family ’ s compound .
Narrating the incident to our correspondent , the mother of the deceased, Mrs . Joy Okoye , who blamed the incident on the victim ’ s hot- tempered disposition and stubbornness , said the death could have been averted if he had not retaliated .
She said , “I was resting in my room after preparing the dinner that night when Osita returned home . After having his bath, I offered him food which he rejected, insisting he had a more pressing matter to discuss with me .
“ He said he had a misunderstanding with one of his cousins over a land which he had reported to security agents .
“ I tried to let him see reasons why the issue would have been resolved within the larger family , instead of involving security agents but all my pleas fell on deaf ears .
“ To my greatest surprise , he slapped me and tore my dress . It was while I ran to the backyard to get clothes to cover myself that my second child (John ) came to my rescue.
“ As I tried holding him back from attacking his brother with a knife, he collected the torch in my hand and hit his brother with it twice . ”
She said the suspect had to defend himself by snatching the knife from the deceased , adding that the scuffle led to Osita ’ s death .
Describing the incident as unfortunate but avoidable , the 58- year - old widow appealed for the release of the suspect , who she referred to as her only possession , having lost her husband some years ago .
She said , “ I appeal to the state government to intervene in the matter by directing the police to release John and allow us to settle it amicably because I cannot afford to lose my two sons this way.
“ John is now my only child . Now that he is in police custody , no one is giving him food and there is no transport fare to go and see him . What will I be living for again ? Neither of them is married . Their father died some years back . ”
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer , Haruna Mohammed , confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect would be charged to court after investigations.
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