A 30-year-old businesswoman has been taken into police custody in Lagos State over the alleged killing of her teenage sales assistant during a workplace dispute.
The suspect, identified as Ibekwe Ezinne Mary, is accused of causing the death of 17-year-old Ihechidere Favour Uka, who was reportedly working as a sales assistant in her cosmetics shop.
According to family members of the deceased, the incident occurred on Tuesday, January 27, at the business premises in Lagos. The victim’s elder brother, Destiny Nnasco, alleged that a disagreement between his sister and her employer escalated into a physical confrontation.
Nnasco claimed that the suspect became angry after the teenager allegedly arrived late to the shop following a request to retrieve an item. He alleged that the businesswoman struck the girl during the altercation, and when the teenager reacted, the situation worsened, leading to a fatal outcome.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Nnasco said the suspect allegedly admitted to the act while in police custody, stating that the dispute began over a delay in responding to her instructions.
“My little sister was working as a sales girl in her shop,” he wrote. “What started as an argument later escalated, and she lost her life.”
The Lagos State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but sources confirmed that the suspect remains under investigation as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling for justice and stronger protections for young domestic and shop workers across the country.