Tragedy struck in Pragati Nagar, Nalasopara East, Maharashtra, India, on Sunday when a 32-year-old Nigerian man, Lucky Ikechukwu Ijeh, was killed during a violent altercation.
Police confirmed the arrest of two Nigerian nationals — Ayoola Babajide Bartholomew, 50, and Oghene Igere, 47 — in connection with the incident. A third suspect, identified as Odia Izu Peculiar, 50, is still at large.
According to eyewitnesses, the dispute began near Monu Grocery Shop, a popular hangout for the Nigerian community in the area. What started as a verbal confrontation quickly escalated into violence.
“Two of the accused smashed a glass bottle on Lucky’s head and attacked him with sticks, causing him to bleed to death on the spot,” a police officer said.
Although the exact cause of the argument remains unclear, authorities suspect the men were rival drug peddlers and the fight was linked to a business disagreement.
The Tulinj Police have since registered a case of murder under Sections 103 (2) and 3 (5) of the Indian Penal Code.
Bartholomew and Igere were taken into custody shortly after the killing, while police have launched a manhunt for Peculiar.
The incident has left the Nigerian community in Pragati Nagar in shock, with many describing the killing as a devastating blow to their close-knit enclave.
