An unidentified wheelbarrow pusher on Friday reportedly stabbed a tax collector to death in Benin City, Edo State, before killing himself.
The incident, which occurred on Mission road in Oredo Local Government Area of the state, caused uproar among residents and shop owners who hurriedly closed shops.
It was learned that an argument ensued between the barrow pusher and the tax collector over the alleged refusal by the former to pay the N50 daily ticket.
Meanwhile, angered by the argument, the revenue collector reportedly kicked the wheelbarrow containing bags of items.
In retaliation, the wheelbarrow pusher reportedly brought out a knife and stabbed the tax collector.
On realizing the tax collector was dead, he thereafter stabbed himself on the neck and died.
An eyewitness, who doesn’t want his name in print, lamented what he described as “human rights violation by some overzealous revenue collectors” in Benin Metropolis.
“His approach was very wrong. But, nothing justifies murder. The economic hardship is too much. Nobody knew that the wheelbarrow pusher had a long knife. He stabbed the man to death.
“Some people around wanted to hold him, but he became very wild and said he would kill anybody who came close. He stabbed himself and died,” he said.
The police spokesperson in the state, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, confirmed the incident.