- Family meeting in Delta State ends in tragedy
- 47-year-old man allegedly kills cousin over ₦1,000 refund
- Incident happened after a burial in Ughelli South
- Police warn against anger over minor disputes
What was meant to be a calm family gathering after a burial turned fatal when a 47-year-old man allegedly killed his first cousin during an argument over a ₦1,000 refund in Delta State.
The incident occurred on December 12, 2025, and was confirmed by the Delta State Police Command through its spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, who spoke in a video shared on social media on Monday.
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According to Edafe, family members had reconvened after returning from the burial of a relative when a disagreement broke out over the refund of a ₦1,000 contribution, a common practice after burial rites.
“This young man was insisting that they must return his ₦1,000. He brought fire and brimstone into the meeting,” Edafe said.
The police spokesperson explained that the argument escalated into a physical fight, despite repeated pleas from family members, including the victim, urging the suspect to calm down.
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“While trying to struggle out of the fight, he hit his cousin. That single hit led to the death of a 42-year-old man,” Edafe stated.
He added that the suspect, identified as Ezekiel, later expressed regret, claiming the act was unintentional.
“It was a mistake. I didn’t know when I hit him,” the suspect reportedly told investigators.
Ezekiel explained that the money was a burial contribution usually refunded after the ceremony.
“After everything, they always return the money to the owner,” he said.
Using the tragic incident as a warning, Edafe appealed to Nigerians to exercise self-control.
“Any fight can lead to death. It can turn to manslaughter or murder. Please, control your temper. Prevention is better than cure,” he cautioned.
The police said investigations are ongoing, while the suspect remains in custody.
