Ruth NWORIE
Fight erupted on Tuesday morning in the residential area of Rumuigbo, near Market Junction, between two tenants, over loud music and an unkempt vicinity.
It started as an argument between Mrs. Kennedy, fondly called engineer’s wife and a middle aged man popularly referred to as the pompous man in the neighbourhood.
According to eyewitnesses, the man, who is known for his frequent loud music, woke up as early as 5:00 a.m. and began playing songs at a disturbing volume.
The behavior, which tenants say is a recurring issue, was said to have provoked other neighbours.
Mrs. Kennedy, a nursing mother, decided to confront him on Tuesday, having endured for too long.
TNN learnt that she complained that the woman had complained of sleeplessness at night, owing to the loud music, as she was always awake at night breastfeeding her baby.
As she approached the man, the following ensued:
“Excuse me, good morning. Why do you like to play loud music in this compound? Are you the only one who has a car here? Can’t you advise yourself? Please, I have small children, and your music wakes them up. Stop doing that.”
Eye witnesses said the man ignored her, and action that infuriated Mrs. Kennedy.
She began to shout at him, accusing him of arrogance and disrespect towards others in the compound.
A corps member living in the compound, who identified herself as Jenny, told TNN that several tenants had previously complained about the man’s behaviour to the caretaker, but that he had done nothing.
“People have been complaining, but the man pays deaf ears. We feel the caretaker is scared of him,” she said.
Tenants also expressed concern about a full soakaway pit that has been left unattended because some residents refused to contribute money for evacuation. The situation, they said, made the entire compound smell unpleasant.
A security man in the area described the man’s behaviour as unruly and said most tenants supported Mrs. Kennedy’s confrontation.
“Everyone in the compound is in support of her. The issue has been on everyone’s mind and affecting us. Maybe now the caretaker will act to avoid more quarrels,” he said.
As the argument continued, some tenants were heard murmuring, others shouting, while a few stayed indoors as the Fight continued.
