A tenant has allegedly attacked his landlord in Benin City, Edo State, following a dispute over an increase in annual rent from ₦300,000 to ₦1 million.
The confrontation reportedly left the landlord with serious head injuries. The incident came to public attention on Friday, October 30, 2026, after Edo TV shared a video of the tenant explaining what happened.
According to the tenant, the disagreement started after he carried out renovation work in the apartment. He said he installed floor tiles with his own money to improve the property for his business.
The tenant claimed that his landlord questioned him about the renovation and demanded additional payment for the improvements.
He further alleged that the landlord subsequently increased his annual rent from ₦300,000 to ₦1 million.
The proposed increase represents an additional ₦700,000, more than three times the previous rent.
The disagreement reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation when the landlord allegedly slapped the tenant.
Narrating the incident in the video, the tenant claimed he retaliated by striking the landlord on the head.
“He slapped me first and out of my defence, I smashed his head. It wasn’t intentional,” the tenant said.
The confrontation reportedly left the landlord with serious head injuries.
The incident has generated conversations on social media about rising accommodation costs and disagreements between landlords and tenants in Nigeria.
The reported rent increase has also drawn attention to the financial pressure facing tenants, particularly those who invest their money in improving rented properties.
However, the circumstances surrounding the confrontation have not been independently established. Further details about the landlord’s condition and possible police action were not provided in the initial report.
The incident highlights the importance of clear agreements between landlords and tenants, particularly when tenants plan to renovate rented properties.
Tenants should obtain written permission before making major alterations. They should also agree with property owners on renovation costs, compensation and other conditions.
Landlords and tenants should resolve disagreements through lawful procedures, mediation or the courts rather than physical confrontation.
Although the tenant claimed self-defence, the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault would require proper investigation.
The incident has renewed public discussion about rent increases, housing affordability and the need for peaceful resolution of tenancy disputes in Nigeria.
