Teenager kills friend over girl

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old boy, Abraham Bepeh, for allegedly killing his friend, Richard Mashok, in a disagreement over a girl.

Bepeh, who is from Betukwe community in Obudu Local Government of the state, claimed that  Mashok was a cultist who attempted to eliminate him over a girl, Miss Anna Ushie, a student of Immaculate (Annunciation) Secondary School in Ohong.

It was learnt that Bepeh was a JSS3 dropout, while the deceased, who had a certificate in education, was a teacher at the school (Immaculate).

PUNCH Metro learnt that Mashok and Bepeh had been having a running battle over the girl and on the day of the incident, Bepeh accosted Mashok on his way from a barbing salon.

It was gathered that some chiefs and leaders from the two communities had earlier intervened in the matter, fining Mashok a live goat, and Bepeh two cartons of beer to end the rift but that did not solve the matter as the accused insisted that they must slug it out physically.

As fight ensued between the two, Bepeh reportedly brought a dagger and stabbed the deceased on his neck after which he fled.

Mashok died on the way to Obudu General Hospital.

At the state Criminal Investigation Department, Bepeh who spoke with PUNCH Metro when he was brought out of the cell, explained that he was apprehended when he attempted to sneak into his apartment to pick some of his most valuable properties two days after the incident.

He said, “Mashok was a cult member. He was initiated into Vikings in 2002, long before I was initiated. We fought over one girl. When we could not resolve the matter, I told him to leave me alone, but he (Mashok) always bring up the issue.”

The officer in charge of Homicide Unit, Mr. Joseph Inuyashe, said Bepeh said in his statement that he did not stab the boy to kill him.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. John Umoh, said the police were still investigating the matter.

“He will be charged to court after our investigation,” he said.




-- Punch