By O.V Collins
Chaos broke out at New Benin market today after an individual was stabbed and injured by a mentally disabled person.
The victim was Mr Tony (a.k.a Pastor Tony), an Igbo trader and evangelist who owns a store at New Benin Market in Benin city, Edo state. He is also a member of Winners Chapel Church, according to sources.
After his usual morning routine of preaching in the market, Mr Tony arrived his store on Saturday Morning, June 11, 2022 to open up for business. There, he met a mentally disabled man sleeping at the entrance of the shop and tried to shove him off so he could open up for business. The mentally disabled man woke up and reacted by bringing out a knife and stabbing Mr Tony’s hand and head.
The trader’s cry for help sparked an uproar from his friends and fellow traders who pounced on the mentally retarded individual, beating and severely manhandling him.
Eye witnesses revealed that the while they were beating him, he spoke Hausa language. This prompted some people to go around beating every Hausa trader and individual they could find around New Benin. Goods and shops of Hausa traders were destroyed and the chaos escalated quickly, causing traders to flee to safety until security agents arrived the scene.
Traders around confirmed Mr Tony’s attacker to be a “mad man” and they had pity on him. He was then told to leave the environment as his condition was observed to be worsening.
Reports have it that Mr Tony is alive and currently receiving treatment in a hospital. A video obtained by our correspondent shows that his injury has been plastered and he is being taken care of.