An elderly man, identified as Augustine, has died following an altercation with a female neighbor in the Railway area of Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Reports indicate that the woman allegedly struck him on the head with a stone during an argument.
According to sources, Augustine, who worked in the Trans-Amadi area, had just returned home and was resting outside his apartment when the dispute began. The woman reportedly accused him of defecating behind the compound.
Feeling insulted, Augustine denied the claim, questioning why he, as a man in his 60s, would be responsible when several children lived in the compound. The argument quickly escalated.
Eyewitness Account
A neighbor named Onyedikachi, who witnessed the incident, described what happened.
“The woman found feces behind the building and confronted Augustine while he was sitting outside. He denied responsibility, explaining that he had just returned from work and that children in the compound could have been responsible.
“As tempers flared, she threw sand at him. He stood up, and the situation turned physical. During the scuffle, she picked up a stone and hit him on the head. Right now, we are at the Elekahia Police Station, and people have gathered. Sadly, he didn’t survive, and his body is in a car.”
Onyedikachi added that Augustine was taken to two hospitals, both of which allegedly refused to treat him. At the third hospital, he was pronounced dead.
Police Confirm Arrest and Investigation
Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the incident and the suspect’s arrest.
“Yes, the woman has been taken into custody, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.
“During questioning, she denied hitting him with a stone. She claimed that Augustine had struck her on the nose and that his children were throwing stones at her. She said she was trying to dodge when one of the stones accidentally hit him.
“An investigation is ongoing, and based on the findings, she may be charged in court.”
Authorities have assured that the case will be thoroughly investigated to establish the circumstances surrounding Augustine’s death.
