One of the ears of a 25-year-old man identified as Tolani Ajisefini has been chopped off in a fight that ensued after he spoke against the smoking of Indian hemp in Mushin area of Lagos State.
Ajisefini, a site manager, had lived with his parents on Olateju Street, Mushin, where the incident happened, before relocating to the Isolo area of the state.
The victim is said to have been a regular visitor to Mushin where he has friends.
Last Saturday, he visited his former house and saw some youths smoking hemp and cautioned them, insisting that they leave the place.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Punch that the smokers ignored Ajisefini.
The resident said, “They said he had left the area and had no right to dictate to them what to do and what not to do.
“This resulted in arguments and later degenerated into a fight. One of Tolani’s (Ajisefini) friends also backed him and fought the gang members but Tolani, asked him to leave the matter to him alone.
“He pushed his friend aside and ordered him to leave the place. One Michael mocked the unnamed friend, saying Tolani did not appreciate his effort.”
According to the report, Ajisefini attacked Michael for the statement and as they scuffled, Ajisefini was alleged to have grabbed a bottle to attack the suspect, who parried it.
“Michael then bit off one of Ajisefini’s ears. Michael also had a bite injury,” the source added.
Ajisefini was reportedly rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Surulere, where he was quickly attended to by medical personnel on duty.
It was learnt that the ear could not be reattached as the tissue was already dead.
A close friend of the victim said, “The ear had to be thrashed. The doctors said they may have to perform an operation on him and give him artificial ear. He has been deformed.”
The case was allegedly reported at the Olosan Police Division, but the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in Lagos State, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the police did not have a record of the incident.
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