A disagreement over a proposed rent increase from ₦300,000 to ₦1m has reportedly ended in violence in Benin City, Edo State, after a tenant allegedly smashed his landlord’s head during a confrontation.
The incident came to light in a video shared by Edo TV on Friday, October 30, 2026, in which the tenant narrated how the dispute over renovation work and rent escalated into a physical fight.
Tenant strikes
According to the tenant, the disagreement began after he carried out tiling work in the apartment with his own money, saying the improvement was intended to support his business.
He alleged that his landlord questioned him over the renovation, demanded additional payment and subsequently raised the rent from ₦300,000 to ₦1m.
The tenant said the confrontation turned physical after the landlord allegedly slapped him, prompting him to retaliate.
“He slapped me first and out of my defence, I smashed his head. It wasn’t intentional,” he said.
The altercation reportedly left the landlord with serious head injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the landlord’s account and the extent of his injuries, were not independently established in the video.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
