A 14-year-old Junior Secondary School (JSS3) student of Ugboro Secondary School in Bekwara Local Government Area of Cross River State has allegedly hacked a 23-year-old man, simply identified as Oshen, to death.
The incident, which happened on Tuesday after school hours in Ugboro community, has thrown residents into shock.
Witnesses told our correspondent that the suspect, identified as Ogbeche, was fighting with a fellow student, Nicholas, when the victim attempted to intervene.
An eyewitness, who gave her name as Lizzy, said Ogbeche accused the deceased of taking sides during the scuffle and stormed off to pick a heavy pestle used for pounding food.
“People were shouting at him to drop it, but he ignored. He hit Oshen hard on the head with the pestle, and he collapsed immediately,” she narrated.
Lizzy added that Oshen was rushed to a hospital in Ogoja but later died the same night.
The victim, according to community members, hailed from a well-known family in Bekwara. His late father, Oshen Ushaka, was described as one of the early wealthy men in the area.
Residents further alleged that the suspect had a history of violent behaviour, often engaging in fights and sometimes attacking schoolmates with sharp objects, though no fatality had previously been recorded.
Confirming the development, security sources said the teenager has been arrested and remanded in Ogoja prison pending further investigation.
