By: Sunday Ameh
A 27-year-old man, Quozeem Awe, has allegedly stabbed a nursing mother, Deborah Adeleye, to death during a dispute over unpaid rent in Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred around 5:00 a.m. at the Daystar area of Ore-Alaba, throwing residents of the community into panic.
According to eyewitness accounts, the violence followed a prolonged disagreement between tenants and the suspect, said to be the son of the landlord, over rent payment issues that had persisted for weeks.
The deceased’s husband, Mathew Adeleye, who is currently receiving treatment in hospital, narrated that tenants in the building had earlier been issued a quit notice despite their rent not yet expiring. He explained that his tenancy was scheduled to lapse on March 16, adding that arrangements had already been made for the family to relocate.
He alleged that the suspect forcefully gained access into their apartment in the early hours of the morning and immediately attacked his wife, who was resting on the bed, stabbing her fatally before turning on him during a struggle.
Their daughter, Tunrayo Adeleye, was also reportedly injured while attempting to escape from the scene.
Neighbours were said to have rushed the victims to a nearby hospital, where Deborah Adeleye was confirmed dead, while her husband and daughter are currently receiving medical attention.
Police sources disclosed that the suspect later surrendered himself at a nearby police station following the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the suspect attacked three occupants of the residence, noting that one victim was confirmed dead at the General Hospital, Ore.
He added that a blood-stained cutlass was recovered from the scene and that the suspect has been charged to court and remanded in a correctional facility pending further legal proceedings.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns among residents over rising cases of violence linked to tenancy disputes in parts of the state.
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