Some suspected hoodlums have killed a 70-year-old truck driver, Jerry Akinsola, in the Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the father of four was attacked on Tuesday around 8pm at Fashola bus stop after his truck broke down.

They were said to have demanded the payment of N5,000 for ‘owo omo taku’ (breakdown fee) from the septuagenarian who pleaded that he didn’t have the money.

The men were said to have hit him with an iron rod on the head before smashing his head on a concrete.

He reportedly collapsed in the street as blood gushed out from his head and nostrils.

He died on the spot.

Two of the suspects were, however, apprehended by people in the area and were subsequently handed over to the police.

A relative of the victim, Richard Akinsola, told our correspondent that the remains of the Ondo State indigene had been deposited in the Mainland Mortuary, Yaba.

He said, “My brother was in the truck with his motor boy and manager. When they got to Fashola bus stop, the truck stopped after the diesel ran out. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any supply of diesel, so he asked his motor boy to get it.

“When the boy returned, my brother asked him to fill the tank. There was also a mechanical fault. When the boy didn’t get it right, he alighted and went to fix the fault himself.

“Meanwhile, some hoodlums had gathered to attack them. As soon as they finished, the thugs emerged from their hideout and attacked my brother.

“They said he must pay them N5,000 for owo omo taku. When he continued begging them, they started beating him and hitting him with all kinds of objects. One of them pushed him and he hit his head on a pavement. Blood started flowing from his nostrils and when they saw that, they took to their heels.”

It was learnt that some people in the area, who witnessed the incident, came out to help the victim.

Another relative, Ige Akinsola, told our correspondent that efforts to resuscitate him proved abortive.

He said two of the suspects were, however, held.

“The case was reported at the Moshalashi Police Station. The two suspects, who did not deny being in the gang, were also handed over to the police,” he added.

Our correspondent learnt that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos confirmed the incident.

She said, “The report is that the man was repairing his broken down vehicle when some miscreants accosted him to settle them.

“While insisting on taking money from him, a fracas ensued and the deceased was pushed to an oncoming vehicle; he died in the process. Two suspects were apprehended and the case has been transferred to the SCIID.”

 

Source: Punchng.com

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