A quiet compound in Boji-Boji Owa, Delta State, became the scene of a horrific crime following a dispute over a seemingly small amount of money. Mr. Lucky Obaze, a landlord, was allegedly stabbed to death by his tenant, identified as Chiboy, over an unpaid electricity bill of just N1,500. The incident has plunged the Owa-Oyibu community into mourning and raised serious concerns about escalating conflicts.
The Fatal Dispute Over Utility Payment
The tragedy unfolded on December 21, 2025, in the Ika North-East Local Government Area. According to accounts from the family, the confrontation began when Mr. Obaze went to collect the monthly electricity fee from his tenant, a routine practice. The tenant, Chiboy, who is said to be from Calabar in Cross River State, lived in a one-room apartment in the house with his brother, Victor. The property originally belonged to Mr. Obaze's late father.
Master Success Lucky, one of the deceased's children, provided a tearful eyewitness account. "My father went to Chiboy to collect the light bill of N1,500. When he got there, they started arguing over the money," the boy recounted. He expressed a heartbreaking sentiment, believing the outcome might have been different had his mother been present at the time.
A Violent Escalation and a Plea for Justice
The initial argument reportedly turned into a physical altercation downstairs in the tenant's apartment. After this fight, Mr. Obaze retreated upstairs to his own living quarters to rest. However, the situation took a deadly turn shortly after.
"Suddenly, Chiboy came upstairs holding a knife," Success continued. "I tried to push him away so he wouldn't reach my father, but he overpowered me. He then met my father sitting in the parlour and stabbed him." The attack proved fatal, and Mr. Obaze, who lived in the same compound with his wife and six children, succumbed to his injuries.
The victim's wife, Mrs. Helen Obaze, has made a passionate appeal to security agencies, the Nigerian government, and human rights organizations to ensure justice is served. She lamented the heavy burden now placed upon her, suddenly left alone to care for their six children. To aid the police investigation, the remains of Mr. Obaze have been deposited at a mortuary.
Community and Family Left in Shock
This incident highlights how minor domestic disagreements can spiral into unthinkable violence. The community of Boji-Boji Owa is grappling with the shock of losing a member in such a brutal manner over a trivial sum. The case now rests with the authorities as they conduct their investigation into the alleged murder. The family's call for justice echoes a common demand in many communities across Nigeria, where resolving landlord-tenant disputes peacefully remains a critical challenge.
