Tragedy struck in Ugboro, Bekwara Local Government Area of Cross River State, on Tuesday when a Junior Secondary School student allegedly killed a 23-year-old man while intervening in a fight.
The suspect, identified as Ogbeche, a student of Ugboro Secondary School, was said to have been engaged in a heated altercation with another student, Nicholas, shortly after school hours. The deceased, identified as Oshen, reportedly stepped in to separate the pair.
Eyewitnesses said Ogbeche, believing that Oshen was taking sides with his opponent, left the scuffle, picked up a heavy wooden pestle, and struck Oshen on the head despite repeated pleas from bystanders for him to stop.
“The pestle he used is one of those heavy local types. With just one blow, it caused severe injury,” an eyewitness, Lizzy, told reporters. She explained that Oshen collapsed immediately and was rushed to a hospital in Ogoja, where he later died the same night.
Community members described Oshen as the son of the late Oshen Ushaka, a wealthy figure in Bekwara. Residents also revealed that Ogbeche had a history of violent behavior, often engaging in fights with fellow students and, in some cases, attacking them with dangerous weapons, though without fatal consequences until this incident.
Police sources confirmed that Ogbeche has been arrested and is currently in custody at Ogoja prison pending further investigation.
The killing has left the community in shock and reignited calls for stronger discipline measures in schools to curb violent tendencies among students.
