Nigeria: Palmwine Tapper Beaten to a Pulp Over N1,000

A middle-aged palm-wine tapper in Eke Out area of Awkunawnaw, Enugu State, identified as Emenike Nkwo was beaten to pulp, after an attempt to collect a debt of N1000 from one of his customers, a pub operator, back-fired. Nkwuo had gone to the debtor, one Ifeanyi Achi, who owns a pub; to collect the outstanding N1000 owed him after he had supplied Achi some kegs of palm wine worth N10,000, but Achi refused to pay-up. The situation degenerated and after a shouting match, Achi proceeded to beat his supplier to a pulp. According to reports, Nkwuo now stands the risk of losing his left eye. LEADERSHIP understands that it had taken the crowd of of sympathisers at the scene to prevent the palm wine-tapper from being gravely injured. Ifeanyi, according to reports, had purchased two jars of palm wine at N10, 000 and paid N9,000, promising to pay the remaining N1,000 within two weeks. But he failed to keep his promise.

But when the victim stormed the area to collect the outstanding N1,000, around 9am, Achi, known for his quick temper, got into some hot exchange with Nkwuo, before procedding to beat him, injuring his left eye. Eye witnesses said that upon seeing his deed, Achi had thought the wine-tapper dead and tried to run away, but was apprehended by two passers-by who heard the victim screaming in pain. Nkwuo was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment but was further referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching continued