A dispute between two teenage boys working as informal loaders at Ramat Park in Benin City has resulted in the death of one of them and the arrest of the other. The incident occurred during an argument over the division of ₦2,000 they had earned while assisting passengers and motorists at the busy transport hub.
According to preliminary accounts, the disagreement began when one of the boys, identified as Prosper, reportedly insisted on taking a larger share of the money, claiming he had contributed more to the work. The argument escalated into a physical altercation. In the course of the fight, Prosper allegedly retrieved a bottle from a nearby area and used it to attack his friend, Osamede Osagbovo. The victim collapsed and, according to witnesses, did not survive the incident.
Operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, who were on routine patrol in the vicinity, intervened shortly after the altercation. The suspect was apprehended and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution. The Deputy Commander of the Corps, Richard Balogun, confirmed that the case had been transferred to the appropriate authorities in accordance with established procedures.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about child labour, the presence of unsupervised minors in high-risk commercial areas, and the vulnerability of young people who engage in informal work without protective oversight. It also raises broader questions about the adequacy of social support structures that could prevent minors from being exposed to environments where disputes can escalate into unlawful acts.
Authorities have yet to release additional details on the legal proceedings, but the matter is expected to proceed under juvenile justice protocols given the ages of those involved.
