An 18-year-old apprentice kills his master in Onitsha market after an argument over theft and drug use, shocking the local community

An 18-year-old apprentice, Chiemerie, fatally attacked his employer, Iyke, with a pestle on Sunday at the Ogbo-Ogwu Bridgehead Medicine Market in Fegge, Onitsha.

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The confrontation reportedly followed a reprimand over alleged theft and drug use.

Eyewitnesses said the apprentice, from Ebonyi State, struck his master on the head after the verbal altercation escalated.

Residents quickly rushed Iyke to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.

Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest of Chiemerie and the recovery of the pestle.

He explained that the dispute arose from repeated concerns over the apprentice’s behaviour, including pilfering money, taking drugs, and returning late at night.

“The altercation escalated, resulting in the suspect using a pestle from the kitchen to strike his boss on the head,” SP Ikenga stated.

The case recalls a similar incident in 2023, when a 20-year-old apprentice, Josiah Godwin, allegedly hacked his master, Saviour Joseph, to death in Ondo State and disposed of the body in a well at their workplace.

Traders in the area expressed shock at the incident, noting the emotional toll on the community and calling for increased supervision of apprentices in busy market hubs.