Man shot dead over buai theft

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A MAN was shot died following a row between two families over an alleged betel nut theft in Central province.
Police said the incident occurred around 10.30am last Thursday at Inawabui village when the 10-year-old son of Charles Aisaka, the deceased, allegedly went into a garden and stole betelnuts.
Police said the son was beaten with sticks by two women who were owners of the betelnut trees.
Police said the son reported the matter to his father Aisaka who with his two wives assaulted the women.
Police said after a while the husbands of the two women – Henry Keaike and Simon Ofoi – confronted Aisaka and assaulted him.
Central provincial police commander John Maru said Aisaka then ordered his son to bring a shotgun from their house.
He shot one of the men on the right leg.
Keaike and Ofoi turned around and chased Aisaka, wrestled the gun from him and shot him.
Maru said while others were involved in the act, Keaike, 42, from the same village was the prime suspect.
Maru said Keaike and Ofoi had been charged with one count each of murder.
He said they were in custody awaiting their court appearance.