A 23-year-old man has died after he was allegedly attacked and killed by his father during a domestic dispute in Osubi community, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, in an incident that has shocked residents and prompted a police manhunt.
The victim, identified as Miracle, was reportedly stabbed by his father, known in the community as Iseleto, on Sunday, 8 February 2026. The incident is believed to have followed long-running tensions within the household, particularly involving the suspect’s wife and step-daughter.
According to accounts from residents and family sources, the dispute was triggered by Miracle’s decision to rent a separate apartment for his father’s wife and himself. The move was reportedly intended to reduce frequent conflicts at home and protect his stepmother and stepsister from ongoing domestic problems. However, the action allegedly angered his father, who viewed it as a challenge to his authority.
Sources said the suspect later persuaded Miracle to follow him to a nearby bush under the guise of resolving the disagreement. Once there, he allegedly attacked his son with a dagger, inflicting multiple injuries before fleeing the area.
Despite his injuries, Miracle reportedly managed to make his way toward a nearby road, where passersby found him and rushed him to a local hospital. Witnesses said he was still conscious at the time and was able to explain what had happened, naming his father as the attacker. He later died from his injuries while receiving medical attention.
Further details emerging from the community indicate that the suspect contacted relatives shortly after the incident. During a phone call with his step-daughter, he allegedly admitted responsibility for the attack and issued threats against her and her mother, accusing them of abandoning the marital home and ending the marriage.
Residents described the suspect as a violent and troubled individual with a history of alcohol abuse and domestic violence. One community member alleged that the man frequently assaulted his wife when intoxicated and often caused disturbances within the household.
According to the resident, the situation had deteriorated over time, with repeated incidents of abuse creating fear and tension in the home. The source further alleged that the suspect had previously made inappropriate advances toward his step-daughter and later forced her out of the house after she resisted him.
“These problems have been going on for a long time,” the resident said. “That was why the young man tried to create peace by arranging a separate place for his stepmother and himself. Sadly, it ended in this tragedy.”
The killing has sparked renewed concern among locals about domestic violence, substance abuse, and the lack of early intervention in troubled households. Community leaders described the incident as preventable and called for stronger awareness and reporting mechanisms to protect vulnerable family members.
The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the incident and said an active search is underway to locate and arrest the suspect. The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said the case is being treated as a homicide and assured the public that efforts are ongoing to bring the suspect to justice.
“The incident has been reported to the police, and investigations have commenced,” Edafe said. “The suspect is currently at large, and we are making efforts to apprehend him.”
Police have urged members of the public to provide any useful information that could assist in tracking the suspect’s whereabouts, while warning against taking the law into their own hands.
As Miracle’s family prepares for burial, residents of Osubi community continue to grapple with the loss and the disturbing circumstances surrounding his death. Many have called for stronger action against domestic violence and better support systems for families facing persistent abuse, warning that without intervention, similar tragedies could occur again.
Source: Africa Publicity
