Posted by By Oluchi Prince Chukwu on
Faraway from the centre of action in Moscow on May 21, 23-year-old Jamiu Raji joined other fans at a viewing centre in the Ijeshatedo area of Lagos to root for Manchester United as they battled rivals, Chelsea, for the European Champions League trophy.
Faraway from the centre of action in Moscow on May 21, 23-year-old Jamiu Raji joined other fans at a viewing centre in the Ijeshatedo area of Lagos to root for Manchester United as they battled rivals, Chelsea, for the European Champions League trophy. But he ended up becoming a tragic hero of United's glory as he was stabbed to death by alleged rival supporters while celebrating his darling team's victory.
An eyewitness informed Sunday Sun that Jamiu was allegedly accosted outside the viewing centre by a group of Chelsea supporters after the encounter and was fatally stabbed in the chest and arm.
The source gave the names of his assailants as Nurudeen Omoboriowo, Taoridi Omoboriowo, Ismaila Saka alias Anomo, and one Jelili (also known as Hundred Years).
Although our source did not disclose whether the attack was prompted by disagreement over betting sums, he however said Taoridi allegedly dealt Jamiu broken bottle blows to his chest while Jelili followed with stabs to his arms.
The deceased's elder brother, Riliwan Raji, however told our reporter that some alleged Chelsea fans became infuriated by the jubilation that followed United's goal and that there was exchange of blows between rival supporters, following the disagreement that ensued. Some of the viewers supposedly sympathetic to Chelsea, he added, were said to have been ordered out of the viewing centre.
This, Riliwan further stated, angered some of them who returned after the game armed with broken bottles. Jamiu, a tailor, became a victim of the vicious reprisal action as he reportedly gave up the ghost in the hospital he was rushed to.
Medical director of Adeola Memorial Clinic on Oke Onijo Street, Ijeshatedo, who gave his name as Dr Babatunde, confirmed to Sunday Sun that Jamiu was brought to the hospital drenched in blood about 12.30am on May 22.
'He had laceration in the chest and multiple cuts on his right arm," he said, adding that the injury was fatal and possibly inflicted with broken bottles.
The news of his death sparked off violence in the area as an infuriated mob stormed the residence of two of the alleged assailants in a bid to torch it. Residents of the area scampered for safety while traders quickly closed their shops as hoodlums brandished dangerous weapons seeking vengeance.
The prompt intervention of men from the Ijesha police station and some elders in the neighbourhood prevented the mob from burning the house.
Jamiu's aged father, Pa Adebayo Raji, could hardly utter a word when Sunday Sun visited the home of the deceased at 1 Jimoh Meji Street, off Agunlejika Street, Ijeshatedo. The obviously devastated father fought back tears as he tried to speak to our reporter.
Meanwhile, the assailants are still at large while the police are on a manhunt for them. An officer at the Ijesha Police Station, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they would stop at nothing to ensure the suspects were apprehended.