A man, Adekunle Ojomu, is currently fighting for his life in a hospital after his neighbour, Abbey Adekanbi, allegedly attacked him with a machete in the Araro, Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Ojomu said the incident occurred on May 13, 2023, when he approached Adekanbi to resolve an issue involving the latter’s wife.

According to him, Adekanbi invited him to his residence on Kerewa Street, which is located three houses away from his own home.

The victim has since been receiving treatment for injuries sustained on his head, hands and back during the attack.

Adekanbi was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Tactical Squad of the Lagos State Police Command in Araro, Ikorodu. However, findings revealed that there had been pressure from some quarters for the suspect to be released and the matter settled within the community.

Speaking on the incident, Ojomu said he had never had any personal issue with Adekanbi, but suspected tension may have arisen from his relationship with the suspect’s younger brother, to whom he had gifted a piece of land.
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ccording to the victim, “His wife sells frozen foods. My children usually buy fish from her and I always pay whenever I return home. I have never owed her money to the extent that she would accuse me of insulting her.

“I was surprised when he told people that I owed his wife and spoke to her rudely.”

Recounting the events of the day, he said,“He was on his motorcycle and I tried to get his attention, but he insisted I should come to his house so we could talk.

“When I got there, I explained to him that his wife had always been helpful to my children whenever I wasn’t around and that I had no reason to insult her.

“He then asked if I was insane, and I responded by asking if he was crazy too. I asked whether the issue was bigger than what he alleged, and he became angrier, went inside his room and returned with a cutlass.”

Ojomu said he initially did not take the threat seriously.“He macheted me and some women tried to intervene, but they later stepped aside as he continued attacking me. I fell while trying to escape because of the pain.

“While I was groaning and attempting to flee, he came back with a saw and started striking my head with it. I used my hands to shield my head and he slashed my hands.

“I eventually ran into a police station and was taken to the hospital,” he added.
Speaking further on the possible source of the dispute, Ojomu explained that Adekanbi’s younger brother, Tosin, had attempted to sell a half-plot of land he had gifted him.

“I insisted that the land was meant for him to build on for the sake of his children and not to sell. Tosin also claimed that Abbey had been threatening him and did not want him living close by,” he said.

He added that both brothers live in different parts of the community, with Tosin residing in Kerewa and Abbey living in Baba Alata.

“The Baale, who should have intervened, blamed me for visiting him at home and asked me to withdraw the case from the police and attend a community meeting. All I want is justice,” Ojomu said.

When contacted, the Baale of Mojoda, Adebola Kazeem, said his role was limited to mediation. “I am a community leader and my intention is to seek an amicable resolution. I invited both parties in the presence of the police and appealed for settlement, but the victim insisted on N5 million compensation. I said I would not be part of that and only wanted peace.

“After the matter is resolved, the perpetrator must present his land documents to me for verification. We want to know how he came into the community because his behaviour is barbaric,” he said.