Woman apprehended for allegedly stoning neighbor to dead in Rivers

Tragedy struck in the Railway axis of Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as an elderly man identified as Augustine lost his life following a violent altercation with a female neighbor.  

Reports indicate that Augustine, who worked in the Trans-Amadi area, was resting in front of his apartment after a long day at work when the confrontation occurred.

His female neighbor accused him of defecating behind the compound, a claim he vehemently denied. He questioned how someone of his age could be responsible, given the number of children living in the compound.

The exchange quickly escalated into a heated argument, during which the woman allegedly struck him on the head with a stone. The impact proved fatal, leading to Augustine’s tragic demise.

Residents of the area were left in shock as the incident unfolded. Authorities are expected to investigate the matter to ensure justice is served.

A neighbour, Onyedikachi, who witnessed the incident, narrated what transpired.

He said, “The woman went behind the house and saw faeces. She then asked the man, who was sitting in front of his house, if he was responsible, and they started quarrelling. The man said he had just returned from work and questioned how an elderly man like him, over 60 years old, could do such a thing when there were children in the compound.

“The woman then picked up sand from the ground and threw it at the man. He got up from where he was sitting, and they began fighting.

“She then picked up a stone and struck him on the head. As I’m speaking to you, we are at Elekahia Police Station, and a crowd has gathered. The man is dead. His body is inside a car.”

Onyedikachi further stated that Augustine was taken to two different hospitals, both of which refused to attend to him. At the third hospital, he was confirmed dead.

When contacted, the Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that the woman had been arrested.

Iringe-Koko said that while the suspect denied hitting the man with any object, an investigation is ongoing.

She stated, “Yes, I can confirm the incident. The woman has been arrested, and the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

“During interrogation, the woman claimed that the man had hit her on the nose and that his children were fighting her, throwing stones at her. She said that while she was trying to dodge, a stone accidentally hit the man.

“As I said, she is in our custody, and the investigation is ongoing. At the conclusion of our inquiry, she may be charged to court.”