A Nigerian asylum seeker, Quham Babatunde, 34, was fatally stabbed in the early hours of Saturday, February 17, following a violent altercation on South Anne Street, Dublin. The tragic incident occurred around 3 AM, shortly after an Afroswing event at a local nightclub turned deadly.
Authorities confirmed that Babatunde suffered multiple stab wounds, including a fatal strike to the heart. Despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead at St. James' Hospital. The attack has sparked an intense murder investigation, with several suspects already in custody.
Violent Altercation Caught on Video
Footage circulating online captures the chaos—masked individuals wielding knives as tensions escalated outside the club. According to Gardaí (Irish police), Babatunde was not directly involved in the fight but was caught in the crossfire after a nightclub dispute spilled onto the streets.
Two suspects have already been apprehended—one arrested in Dublin and another detained by the PSNI in Belfast while attempting to flee to Liverpool. A third individual has been formally charged and is due to appear in Belfast Magistrates' Court. Meanwhile, authorities continue to track down additional suspects, with CCTV footage playing a critical role in the investigation.
A Complex Past Resurfaces
Babatunde, who had been residing at the Ballyogan IPAS Centre in South Dublin, was seeking asylum in Ireland. However, reports indicate a controversial history. In 2018, under the name ‘Mike Obumbo’, he was a promising footballer in Italy’s Reggiana youth team before facing rape allegations and deportation proceedings.
While some sources claim he was deported from Italy in 2019, others suggest he managed to relocate to Ireland before legal action could be finalized. His associates maintain that the allegations were false, but online discussions have reignited debate over his past.
Authorities Tight-Lipped as Investigation Continues
Gardaí have completed a postmortem examination, but the findings remain undisclosed for operational reasons. Another man, who also sustained stab wounds, survived the attack and is recovering in the hospital. Investigators are still pursuing at least three more suspects, with forensic evidence and surveillance footage expected to play a key role in solving the case.
As the probe deepens, questions linger: Was Babatunde specifically targeted, or was he an innocent bystander in the wrong place at the wrong time? While authorities work to piece together the full story, the incident has already ignited heated discussions across Ireland and beyond.
0 Comments