African’s murder, three locals arrested

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Banaswadi police claims to have solved the murder of an African national by arresting three local residents.

The victim has been identified as Victor, aged between 35 and 40 years and hailing from Nigeria. He was married to an Indian and was residing in Banaswadi.

The accused have been identified as Arun, Philip Raj and Neelakant.

Victor was stabbed to death on Sunday night near Kullappa Circle in Kammanahalli. Based on the statements of some local residents, the police had initially suspected that the culprits were also African nationals. However, a detailed probe brought the role of the accused to light.

According to the investigation team, the CCTV footage showed Victor walking with the three accused near Kullappa Circle at around 10 pm on Sunday. The group then had an argument over fetching cigarettes and alcohol, which later turned violent. Victor was stabbed with a wine bottle in the abdomen and chest by the trio.

“It is has been revealed that during the argument between the group, Victor was the first to attack his friends with a beer bottle. One of the accused was hit on the head too. The trio then attacked him with the same bottle and he was stabbed many times,” police said. “Seeing Victor writhing in pain, the trio fled the spot,” he added.

The police said the accused and the victim knew each other for a few months and were friends. Victor had come to Bengaluru ten years ago on a business visa. He had married a local woman and settled down near Banaswadi, the police said. Further investigations are underway.