POS dispute leaves four feared dead, scores injured in Ibadan clash

Violence erupted in Ibadan, Oyo State, resulting in at least four reported deaths and numerous injuries after a dispute over a Point of Sale (POS) transaction escalated into a deadly clash. The incident, which occurred in the Ojo area of Akinyele Local Government, paralyzed commercial activities and forced many residents to flee.

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Around between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight yesterday, a man riding a Maruwa went to a POS at Strabag because he wanted to make a withdrawal.

The crisis reportedly began Tuesday night when a commercial tricycle rider attempted to withdraw cash from a POS operator. A network failure prevented the transaction from being confirmed, despite the customer having already received the money. Eyewitnesses claim the rider offered his tricycle and phone as collateral while the issue was being resolved, asserting he was not attempting to abscond.

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They gave him the money, but while they were trying to complete the transaction, the network was bad. He had already collected the money and used it, but the POS operator said the transaction had not gone through.

However, the situation turned violent when another individual allegedly intervened, fatally stabbing the tricycle rider. Eyewitnesses described the victim's repeated pleas and assurances that he would resolve the transaction, but alleged he was assaulted by multiple people until he died.

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The man said, ‘This is the key to my Maruwa. This is my Maruwa. This is my phone. You can keep them. I’m not running anywhere.’

The Oyo State Government confirmed casualties, stating two deaths were officially established as investigations proceed. The government has deployed security forces to restore order and appealed for calm, emphasizing that the incident should not be given an ethnic interpretation. Traditional and community leaders have also urged residents to avoid reprisals.

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While they were arguing, somebody suddenly came, slapped him and stabbed him until he died.