Suspects Detail How Burial Argument Turned Deadly for 22-Year-Old in Adamawa
Two suspects arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in Michika, Adamawa state, have provided detailed accounts of how a disagreement at a burial ceremony escalated into violence, resulting in the death of a 22-year-old man. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, April 12, has prompted an ongoing police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Victim Reports Attack Before Succumbing to Injuries
According to police reports, the victim, identified as Daniel Samuel, a resident of Michika town, presented himself at the Divisional Police Headquarters with visible signs of violence and bloodstains on his body. He alleged that he had been attacked and fatally stabbed in the back by two individuals: Dakiyar Tumba, aged 23, and Sini Luka, aged 31, both residents of the same area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, stated that operatives quickly rushed the victim to a hospital in an attempt to save his life. However, he was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor. The body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for an autopsy as part of the investigation.
Suspect Narrates Escalation of Violence
In an interview, one of the suspects, Dakiyar Tumba, a 22-year-old farmer from Kubirshoto village in the Michika Local Government Area, described how the incident unfolded. Tumba explained that he attended a burial in a nearby village called Kura, where tensions arose between youths from Kura and those from Kubirshoto.
"During the burial, some youths from Kura argued with youths from Kubirshoto. The youths from Kura came with sticks to fight those from Kubirshoto, so one of our youths from Kubirshoto named Kwada also went and took a stick," Tumba recounted. "When he went to pick up the stick, the deceased, whose name is Daniel, was sitting with his girlfriend, and Daniel told Kwada not to take any stick, but Kwada refused and went ahead to take it."
Tumba said he attempted to calm the situation, warning that it could escalate due to the proximity of the two villages. However, Daniel followed Kwada and threatened him, leading to a confrontation. "Daniel then followed Kwada to where we were all standing and told him that, since he had refused to obey his order, he would definitely beat him up and kill him someday," Tumba stated.
When Tumba tried to intervene, Daniel allegedly hit him with a stick and then pulled out a knife. "I was still standing there when he pulled out a knife from his waist and tried to stab me in the stomach. I used my hand to protect myself, and it cut my hand," Tumba said. "He then dropped the knife on the ground, and I became angry. I picked it up and stabbed him in the back."
Tumba expressed regret for his actions, attributing them to anger. He reported that Daniel later died on the way to the hospital after the matter was reported to the Michika Police Station.
Second Suspect Claims Innocence
The second suspect, Sini Luka, a 31-year-old resident of Kubirshoto village, provided a different account. Luka stated that he arrived at the burial ground around 7 pm and saw youths from his village fighting with those from Kura village. "I went there to speak with some of the youths I know to stop the fight, because fighting never leads to anything good," he said.
Luka claimed he was not present during the altercation between Tumba and Daniel and pleaded for mercy from the authorities. "I don't know anything about what happened between Tumba and Daniel, because I was not around during the fight. I only came in the evening. I'm pleading with the command to temper justice with mercy because I don't know anything," he emphasized.
Police Vow Thorough Investigation
SP Nguroje reiterated the police command's commitment to conducting a deeper investigation to ensure all those involved are arrested and face legal action. He also urged members of the public to avoid behaviors that could lead to homicide, kidnapping, or other social vices, highlighting the importance of community safety and conflict resolution.
This incident underscores the volatile nature of communal disputes in the region and the need for effective law enforcement and community dialogue to prevent such tragedies. The police continue to probe the accounts provided by the suspects to ascertain the full truth behind the fatal stabbing.
