Lagos guard kills ‘tenant’ over rent payment

A security guard with Corporate Victoria Gardens Security Company, Desmond Gudyu, has allegedly punched a 26-year-old man, Akeem Nuhu, to death during an altercation on Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Gudyu, who was employed to guard a building in the area, was said to have accommodated Nuhu in his security post after the latter agreed to pay him rent.

Trouble started on Monday, October 10, when Nuhu, who worked as a motor boy in a pure water company, failed to pay the agreed sum.

This reportedly led to an argument between them as Gudyu allegedly punched Nuhu, who fell and died.

A contractor, Ayo Ipadeola, who worked in the area, said, “The security guard was the only one staying in that house. The victim, Nuhu, worked in a pure water company and he had nowhere to stay. That was why he entered into an agreement with Gudyu to sleep in his security post and pay him for it.

“So, he would wake up in the morning, go to work and return in the evening. But on Monday evening when the incident happened, the security guard accused Nuhu of owing him some rent and they started to argue. It was in the process that he slightly punched Nuhu. He fell and became unconscious.”

A source said the victim was rushed to a police hospital at Falomo, where he died.

He said, “He died around 7am the following day. His corpse was deposited at the Federal Medical Centre’s morgue, Ebute-Metta for an autopsy.”

A trader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Gudyu’s security company reported the incident to the police.

“I am aware that the owner of the house does not live there. They only hired Gudyu to guard the place and did not know he was renting out his space,” she added.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The suspect has been taken into custody and he is being investigated.”