Apprentice who killed master: “I’m ready for consequences”

From Emma Elekwa

On hearing or reading the horrific but pathetic story of a 21-year old apprentice who allegedly struck his Master to death with pestle at No. 2 Enyiuko Street, Fegge, Onitsha in Anambra state, one might be tempted to blame the Master for the calamity that befell him. The reason for such conclusion is obvious.

Any person from the Southeast familiar with the Igbo apprenticeship system, popularly known as “Igba boi”, a traditional business mentorship model, knows that any young male mentored by an established master (“Oga”), in learning trade, craft, discipline, financial skills, among others within a minimum of five and maximum of seven years would definitely be formally settled with capital or goods to start his own business upon completion.

This arrangement is also backed up formally with a kind of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed to that effect by both the Master and his apprentice. Any breach of such contract by either of the parties attracted consequences. Regrettably, instances abound where business owners (Masters) engage apprentices in their businesses but scarcely keep to the “settlement” agreement at the expiration of their apprenticeship.

Delay in settlement

While some excuse their delay in settlement or outright betrayal on financial constraints, others would suddenly conjure one criminal allegation or another against their apprentices as reasons for reneging on the agreement. But the ugly episode that occurred February 14, a day widely celebrated as Valentine Day was entirely out of such instances.

The young man, Chiemerie Anieke, a native of Ebonyi state, who is currently cooling off in Police custody had just spent less than three years with his master, identified as Ikechukwu Nwite, popularly called Turn-by-turn, also from the same state, after relocating from his hometown.

In other words, he still had about four years ahead of him to be “settled”. Besides, he was said to have enjoyed seemingly good relationship with his Master prior to the incident. So issue of settlement is a far cry to his actions.

How it all started

Chiemerie, undergoing his apprenticeship in his Master’s shop located at the Drug market, popularly known as Ogbo-ogwu, Bridge Head, Onitsha reportedly returned late from work that fateful day, as against the usual time, a development sister to his Master who doubles as the Manager of the shop called him on phone to inform him about Chiemerie’s absence.

According to a neighbor, who simply identified himself as Peter Kalu, the Master, who was also away from home, on receiving the information, instructed that his apprentice should not be let into the house anytime he returned, but should go back to where he came from. The neighbor however said the apprentice had something up his sleeves. He had sneaked into the house through the kitchen, hid behind the door and patiently waited for his Master’s return.

He said, “Immediately the Master returned home and entered through the kitchen, the apprentice who was already standing behind the door, quickly rushed after him and struck him three times on the head with a pestle. The boy also dashed to the room and hit his master’s sister who had already gone to bed. Luck however ran out of him as the Master’s wife who was also in the house disarmed him during the struggle. She consequently raised alarm that attracted neighbors who rounded him up before handing him over to the police.”

The neighbor however revealed that the Master was later confirmed dead following the attack, and his body deposited in the morgue, while his sister is currently receiving medical treatment in a nearby hospital.

Suspect already in custody

Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the suspect has been arrested while the pestle has been recovered from the scene.

According to Ikenga: “The male suspect, Chiemerie Anieke, aged 21, who allegedly used a pestle to strike his master, Mr. Ikechukwu Nwite, on the head, resulting in his death, and also attacked his sister, Mrs. Ogechukwu Nwite, in the early hours of February 15, 2026 in Onitsha, is currently in custody. The pestle has been recovered from the scene.

“Preliminary information reveals that the suspect was allegedly provoked by the manner in which the late Ikechukwu admonished him over his bad behaviour, including pilfering money meant for the shop, staying out late at night, and taking drugs.

“Meanwhile, Ikechukwu’s sister was rescued and taken to the hospital, where she is currently responding to treatment.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for a comprehensive investigation and to ensure that justice is served.”

Interaction at the SCID

Speaking with The Nation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where his case was transferred to, the suspect denied most of the allegations, including returning late that fateful day and drug addiction. He however confessed killing the Master with pestle as well as attacking the sister with same object.

His words, “I came over to Onitsha in 2023 to learn the trade at the instance of my elder brother who has connection with my Master. I had to agree to relocate to Onitsha since my parents who are peasant farmers could not afford to sponsor my university education, even when I passed both West African Examination Council (WAEC) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams.

“My relationship with his master was cordial at the initial time, until recently. I can remember one of the days I came back from church activity, my Oga pounced on me, insisting I should tell him where I went to. I reported that experience to my elder brother who linked me up to my Oga. My brother advised me to patiently endure and see the maltreatment as part of the apprenticeship experience.

Peer influence

“Last year July, I met with a friend in the Ogbo-ogwu market, Nnabuife and requested for his assistance to open a bank account for me to be saving money there. He agreed and opened the account which I kept monitoring through PoS until it got to N5million, when I requested Nnabuife to assist me withdraw the money. By then, I was already planning to quit the apprenticeship to enable me establish mine.

“But by the time Nnabuife (who also is currently in Police custody) withdraw the money, what he handed over to me was incomplete, roughly above N3million. When I complained, he threatened to even collect the entire money, insisting it was his own gain for assisting me in opening the account and monitoring it. This got me angry because I’ve already planned what I will do with the money.

What triggered the murder

“I came back from market that Saturday around 7.30pm. I didn’t come back late, neither did I visit any girl friend. Instead, I was not feeling fine. I noticed my head was aching and I had to visit a chemist shop where I bought some drugs. Meanwhile, I took permission from my Oga’s sister before going. But before I came back, she had already called my Oga to tell him that I’m not at home and he instructed they should not let me in.

“I was outside for a long time before my Oga’s wife, who was ignorant of the directives from his husband opened the door for me. When my came back around 3am, I took the “aka odo” (pestle) in the kitchen and hit him thrice at the back of the head. I also dashed to the room where the sister was sleeping and hit her too. She suddenly woke up and struggled over the pestle with me before rushing out to call for neighbor’s intervention.

“I’ve been hearing rumours that my Master has discovered about my savings, and was planning to collect the entire money and punish me severely. Since I was already fed up with what I’m doing and have decided to quit so I can use the money to set up my own business, I had no option than to take the action. Besides, I’ve also begged him severally to buy phone for me being the only person in the entire compound without a phone, but he refused,” he explained.

Not influenced by drugs

 Chiemerie who denied his actions were triggered by influence of drugs or alcohol, blamed it on the devil. “I used to take tablets of tramadol. But when my Oga discovered I was taking the drug, he warned me to stop and I obeyed. I’ve not been taking the drug until I came to Onitsha.

“So it was neither drugs nor alcohol that caused it. I can’t just explain what came over me that day. I think it’s the devil’s manipulation. Actually, my intention was not to kill him, but for the maltreatment, especially that call from my Oga’s sister to him and his instructions to lock me out of the house forced me to act that way.

The innocent looking, but fearless boy without any sign of remorse and penitence said he was prepared to face consequences for his actions. According to him, since he would not be forgiven, needles asking for forgiveness. “I’m ready to face the consequences; either death by hanging or shooting, I’m ready to die and face judgement because I know I will not be forgiven even if I ask for it,” he affirmed.

Deceased sister’s version

Narrating her ordeal from her hospital bed where she is currently receiving treatment, sister to the deceased, Ogechukwu Success Nwite, said she was fast asleep when she suddenly felt a hard object hit her on the head.

“Before I could understand what was happening, the boy hit me again. It was when he attempted to hit me the third time with the pestle that I grabbed his hand, struggled to disarm him and ran outside to call for help. It was at that point I realized that the apprentice had already attacked my brother who was lying unconscious in the kitchen.

According to Ogechukwu, the apprentice had been living and working with her brother for about three years, adding that she was unaware of any major misunderstanding between them. “The outstanding one I could remember is the day my brother scolded him for something he did wrong at the shop. But little did I know such a minor issue could provoke the boy to act in such a violent way,” she added.

As at time of filing the report, Ogechukwu is yet to be informed of her brother’s death, having been restricted from accessing the internet nor her mobile phone. Meanwhile, the wife of the deceased could not be reached as sympathisers crowded the family residence.

Lessons from tragic episode

Describing the incident as regrettable, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, drew certain pertinent lessons from it, including early intervention, balancing discipline with structured support, risks associated with substance abuse as well as setting boundaries between domestic work and business settings.

According to him, warning signs such as drug abuse, theft, and repeated misconduct should never be ignored. Seeking timely intervention through counseling, rehabilitation, or community mediation can prevent situations from escalating into violence.

“While correction is necessary, structured approaches, such as involving guardians, community leaders, or appropriate authorities when issues persist, may help reduce tensions and risks.

“Drug use can impair judgment, increase aggression, and fuel criminal behavior. Addressing substance abuse early through professional help is critical.

“Homes that double as work places should implement clear boundaries and safety measures, especially where domestic staff or apprentices reside on the premises,” he noted.

Underscoring the place of collaboration between community and law enforcement agencies, Ikenga enjoined parents and guardians to work with the Police and other law enforcement agencies when addressing serious behavioral issues involving their wards or children.

“This unfortunate event underscores the need for vigilance, proactive conflict management, and stronger social support systems within families, work places and communities,” Ikenga added.