Academic activities in Gaskiya College in the Ijora area of Lagos State were paralysed last Wednesday after a student Saka Ahmed who was in SS 2, allegedly killed his schoolmate, 19-year-old Saheed Jimoh, who was in SS 3, in front of their school gate.

The murder suspect Saka reportedly fled the scene, leaving Jimoh for dead in a pool of blood.

In a new report by Punch, Saka Ahmed, who was later arrested by the police, has told his own side of the story and says he committed the act after a prank went awry.

Ahmed, 19, claimed he had joked that a teacher was coming after them, after they both arrived late to
school. He said the prank angered the victim, adding that he (Jimoh) attacked him and it was during a brawl he pushed him. The 19-year-old reportedly hit his chest against a concrete slab and died moments after he was rushed to a private hospital.

Ahmed said he had been friends with the victim since they were in their first year in secondary school. He said:

“Jimoh and I have been friends since JSS 1. We remained friends even after I repeated SS2 and he became my senior.

On that fateful day, at about 8am I was with him and Ibrahim Mohammed, another friend. We got late to school and I told them to wait outside and allow me to go and check what was going on.

“I peeped through the gate and saw there was no teacher, except one prefect. But I deceived them into thinking that a teacher was coming and they started running.

“I then laughed and said it was a joke. Jimoh became angry and he started chasing after me.”

He said he waited for him and as the victim charged at him, he pushed him.

The Kwara State indigene explained that his friend fell on his chest on the edge of a gutter and blood was gushing out of his body.

“I quickly flagged down a commercial motorcycle and he assisted me in taking him to a hospital.

“About five minutes later, the doctor came out and told me he was dead. I was afraid and ran away.

“When I got to my father’s shop, I was told the police had started looking for me and they had arrested Ibrahim (Mohammed),” he added.

PUNCH Metro learnt that after the victim died at the hospital, the management of the school was contacted. The school principal was said to have assisted in the arrest of Mohammed, who then led the police to the home of the suspect.

He was subsequently arrested and the matter was transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba.

A police source said there was no stab wound on the corpse of the victim, adding that at the end of investigation the matter would be charged to court.

The deceased’s uncle, Mr. Shakiru Oluayo, denied that Ahmed and Jimoh were friends, adding that the victim’s family was under pressure to drop the case.

He said they had yet to remove Jimoh’s corpse from the mortuary due to lack of funds.

He said:

 “I am not aware they were friends. People in the community have also been asking us to let the matter be put to rest but we are still considering it. I cannot give a categorical answer on it.”