Pregnant woman killed over debt in Oyo

A textile trader in Gbagi Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, Kudirat Oduola, has been beaten to death by thugs allegedly sent by a co-trader who lent her N2m.

Our correspondent learnt that the deceased, who was three months pregnant, had approached one Oriekun to assist her with the money to buy textile materials.

The deceased’s brother, Abdulahi Asimolowo, said Oduola paid the N2m debt five months after it was borrowed, adding that Oriekun, however, insisted that she would collect N400,000 as interest for five months.

He said, “It is a common practice among traders at Gbagi Market to assist one another with money to buy goods. No interest is usually charged. This was what happened between my sister and Oriekun.

“Oriekun assisted my sister with the sum of N2m, which was refunded after five months. She, however, insisted that she would collect interest on the money for another five months. She said she would collect N400,000 per month. She also threatened the deceased to consider herself a walking corpse if she refused to pay the interest.”

Asimolowo explained that the deceased later agreed to pay the interest when she could no longer cope with Oriekun’s harassment.

“She actually paid some of the interest, but when she could no longer continue, she told Oriekun that she was tired of paying because she could no longer afford it,” he added.

Asimolowo said on May 19, 2016, some thugs were allegedly sent by Oriekun to deal with the deceased for failing to pay the money.

He said, “The thugs beat her up and left her when she collapsed. She lost her pregnancy as a result of the attack and she was rushed to the hospital.

“She was taken to a private hospital at Olodo area, and later transferred to the Police Hospital at Eleyele. From there, she was transferred to the University College Hospital where she died on July 9, 2016.”

Our correspondent learnt that Oriekun had been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.