Indian police have arrested two Nigerians, Chukwudi Okafor, 31, and Samuel Eze, 34, in connection with the death of their compatriot, Emeka Christian, after an alleged violent dispute in Pune, India.
The incident reportedly took place in the Pisoli-Phursungi area of Pune in the early hours of Monday. It was learnt from India that the altercation followed a disagreement involving a woman.
According to the report, the deceased, a 40-year-old garment trader, was legally residing in India with a visa that runs until 2027. He had visited the apartment of a Nigerian woman on Sunday night with some friends to attend a small gathering.
What was described as a friendly meeting later degenerated into a heated argument over a romantic issue linked to the woman.
“One of the accused was in a relationship with the woman and used to visit her frequently. The victim objected to this, which led to a quarrel,” a police source told India Today.
The disagreement reportedly lingered into the night and intensified at about 3 a.m. when Emeka attempted to leave the apartment.
“The argument turned violent when the victim tried to leave. He was beaten with a hard object, causing serious injuries,” India Today quoted police sources as saying.
A senior police officer also gave further details on the attack.
“As he was leaving the flat, the accused followed him to the parking area and attacked him with a hard object,” the officer told India Today.
Following the assault, Emeka reportedly collapsed. He was taken to the hospital by Gift Utah, the vice president of the Nigerian Students’ Union in Pune. Doctors later confirmed his death while he was receiving treatment.
“What began as a verbal dispute turned into a fatal assault,” Senior Police Inspector Mansing Patil told India Today.
Police authorities confirmed that the two suspects are in custody. They added that investigations are ongoing, as officers believe that as many as four people may have taken part in the attack.
“The investigation is ongoing, and a manhunt has been launched for other suspects,” a police source disclosed.
The case adds to a list of similar incidents involving Nigerians in India. In 2025, Indian police arrested Ayoola Babajide and Oghene Igere over the alleged killing of their friend, also a Nigerian, Lucky Ikechukwu Ijeh.
