13-year-old boy stabs step-brother to death over argument

The quiet Azikoro community of Yenagoa in Bayelsa State was thrown into mourning at the weekend after Ebi Andrew, a 13-year-old boy, reportedly stabbed his 20-year-old elder brother to death over a domestic argument.

The incident happened at Jehovah Witness Road, off Goodnews street, Azikoro on Saturday night. It was gathered that the suspect, Ebi Andrew, stabbed his brother, Tarikebina Andrew, over a minor disagreement, which began when the deceased asked the suspect to go home and sleep.

Many residents were left aghast as their father was accused of hurriedly burying the murdered son to avoid police investigation and arrest of the suspect.

According to a family member, Denis Andrew, both the suspect and the deceased were at a friend’s place few meters away from their home, when the deceased asked his younger brother to go home because it was late, an order the younger brother refused.

He said his refusal led to a disagreement, adding that the suspect got embittered by the brother’s persistent order and entered the kitchen of the friend’s house and took a knife, which he later used in stabbing his elder brother to death.

Dennis said the deceased was rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa where he was confirmed dead due to internal bleeding. Their father took the deceased home and buried him on Saturday night but some concerned neighbours, however, contacted the Azikoro community police station, which immediately deployed officers to the scene and arrested the father.

Denis added that the police ordered the body of the murdered boy to be exhumed, and it was later taken to the hospital. He also told newsmen that both the suspect and his father were in police custody for interrogation and possible prosecution on the matter.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, Asinim Butswat, stated that Ebikari Andrew, ‘m’ aged 13, had a misunderstanding with his elder brother, one Fineboy Andrew, ‘m’ 20 years, which resulted into a fight.

“The said Ebikari Andrew took a kitchen knife and stabbed his elder brother, Fineboy Andrew, in the stomach. Their father, one Andrew Okpofemi, rushed the injured victim to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead. The suspect has been arrested and the murder weapon is recovered. Investigation is ongoing,” he said.