A tragic incident unfolded in Okpella, a community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, on Friday, March 21, when an apprentice, Udeji Bright, fatally stabbed his boss, Johnson Sunday, over a 17-year-old girl they both had been romantically involved with. The altercation, which escalated into a violent confrontation, has left the community in shock and sparked outrage over the loss of life and the underlying issues that led to the tragic incident.
According to sources familiar with the events leading up to the incident, the relationship between Udeji Bright, the apprentice, and Johnson Sunday, his boss, had become strained due to a love triangle involving the same teenage girl. Initially, Bright had been dating the girl, who is reported to be 17 years old, and the two had been in a relationship for over three years. However, the situation took a turn when Sunday, the boss, began to show interest in the same girl.
The source explained that the girl had been visiting the motor park where Bright worked when Sunday, the boss, saw her and was immediately attracted to her. He approached the young woman and, to Bright’s dismay, successfully convinced her to date him as well. The girl, seemingly caught between the two men, agreed to date both her boyfriend, Bright, and his boss, Sunday, leading to growing tension between the two men.
Bright, who had been in a relationship with the girl before Sunday, was reportedly not pleased with the situation and had warned his boss to end his romantic involvement with the girl. However, Sunday, who was married with two children, refused to back down, believing that he had the right to pursue a relationship with the girl despite the conflict it caused.
A source explained that the girl’s actions led to further strain between the apprentice and his boss. The source mentioned that Sunday had approached Bright, urging him to let go of the girl and allow him to continue his relationship with her. Bright, however, was angered by this request and refused to comply. In the days that followed, he grew more resentful and eventually vowed to take revenge against his boss for taking the girl from him.
Despite the escalating tension, elders in the park attempted to mediate and persuade Bright to move on from the situation, but their efforts proved fruitless. Bright, feeling wronged, continued to harbor resentment towards his boss, which ultimately led to the fatal confrontation.
On the evening of March 21, around 7:00 p.m., Bright confronted Sunday, leading to a physical altercation between the two. During the heated struggle, Bright allegedly stabbed his boss in the back, critically injuring him. Sunday was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Bright, in an attempt to escape, fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by residents of the community, who overpowered him and handed him over to the police.
The police were called to the scene and took Bright into custody, while the body of the deceased boss was taken to the mortuary for an autopsy. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.
The incident has shocked the people of Okpella, with many residents expressing disbelief over the violent outcome of what began as a simple love triangle. John, a local resident, described the event as “shameful,” noting that the deceased boss was married with two children. “Fighting over a girl who is not even old enough to be his daughter is a disgrace,” he said.
The violent nature of the altercation has sparked anger in the community, especially among the youths. In a retaliatory act, some local youths reportedly set the house of the suspect’s father on fire. Tensions are high in the area, and many fear further reprisals.
The girl at the center of the dispute, whose actions are believed to have triggered the conflict, has fled the community to avoid being targeted by the angry residents. Her parents have also reportedly left the town. The girl’s involvement in the tragic events has sparked mixed reactions among locals. Some argue that she was at the heart of the conflict, as her decision to date both the apprentice and his boss led to the deadly confrontation. Others feel that she, too, is a victim of circumstances, caught in a situation that escalated beyond anyone’s control.
As the investigation continues, many are reflecting on the consequences of the love triangle. While some argue that the actions of the boss were inappropriate and wrong, the violent response by Bright is being condemned as an extreme overreaction. It raises questions about the role of social pressures, jealousy, and the lack of proper conflict resolution mechanisms in Nigerian communities.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unresolved conflicts and the deadly consequences that can arise from jealousy and possessiveness. The fact that a man lost his life over a young girl, who is still in the early stages of her life, speaks to deeper issues in Nigerian society, including how relationships are viewed and the sometimes dangerous consequences of misunderstandings.
The case also highlights the dangers of unresolved tension in workplace and personal relationships. The apprenticeship system, which is a common form of skill acquisition in Nigeria, is intended to teach young people not only technical skills but also life lessons in discipline and conflict management. However, as seen in this case, when personal matters intertwine with professional ones, the result can be tragic.
