Onitsha, Anambra State – February 16, 2026 — A shocking act of violence rocked the bustling Fegge area of Onitsha, Anambra State’s commercial hub, on Sunday when an 18-year-old apprentice allegedly killed his master by striking him with a mortar pestle amid a heated dispute.
The victim, identified locally as Iyke (also reported in some accounts as Ikechukwu or IK), was a trader operating in the Ogbo-Ogwu Medicine Market near the Bridgehead area. He was reportedly mentoring the young apprentice under the traditional Igbo “nwa-boi” system, where young individuals learn a trade while living and working with their master.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the altercation erupted after the master scolded the apprentice, named Chiemerie (from Ebonyi State), over repeated misconduct. This included allegations of pilfering money from the shop, using drugs, and returning home late at night.
The confrontation escalated dramatically when the apprentice reportedly grabbed a pestle from the kitchen and struck his master on the head.Eyewitnesses described the scene: “The 18-year-old boy picked a mortar pestle from the kitchen and hit his master on the head during an altercation on Sunday evening.” The blow proved fatal, and Iyke collapsed immediately. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The suspect was quickly apprehended by operatives from the Fegge Police Division. Anambra State Police Command spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the arrest, stating that the pestle used in the attack had been recovered as evidence. “The suspect has been arrested and is in custody,” Ikenga said. “The incident happened on Sunday following the boss scolding him for his behavior.”Some reports vary slightly on details, with certain sources listing the apprentice’s age as 21 and the victim’s full name as Ikechukwu Nwite or Ikechukwu, while others describe additional injuries to the master’s wife or sister during the chaos. However, the core facts remain consistent across multiple outlets: a domestic-style altercation in a master-apprentice household turned deadly with a household implement.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Onitsha’s trading communities, where the apprenticeship system remains a cornerstone for youth empowerment and business succession. Many residents and online commentators expressed dismay at the breakdown of trust and discipline in such relationships, with some calling for greater caution when taking in apprentices.”The world has drastically changed,” one social media user lamented. “People need to be very careful with strangers they take in as apprentices or house helps.”Police investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances, including any prior tensions or contributing factors such as substance abuse.
The suspect faces potential charges of murder.This tragedy underscores the pressures faced by both masters and apprentices in Nigeria’s informal economy, where long hours, close living quarters, and high expectations can sometimes lead to explosive conflicts.Authorities have urged calm in the community as inquiries continue.
