The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old man, Edebiri Temitope, over the death of his neighbour, Oje Michael Eje, 38, in Mowe, Obafemi-Owode LGA.
Eje, a graduate of Guidance and Counselling, was allegedly beaten with a bamboo stick after an argument over his interaction with the suspect’s three-year-old child.
According to Peter Adum, younger cousin to the deceased, Michael had just returned from work when the child who lived on same street ran to hug him.
He said Michael hugged the boy and playfully threw him in the air and caught him before going to sleep.
“While he was sleeping, Adebiri, the father of the boy, came outside and knocked on his door. When Mike came out, the man accused him of playing roughly with his child. Mike explained that he had only hugged the boy and lifted him into the air. That was how the man then started slapping Mike. He picked up a bamboo stick from the ground and hit him about three times. Mike fell and died on the spot,” Adum said.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Seyi Babaseyi, said the deceased was accused of hugging and playing with the child when the suspect became infuriated, describing the play as “rough.”
He said Temitope allegedly picked up a bamboo stick and repeatedly struck Michael until he collapsed and died.
Babaseyi initially said the suspect had gone into hiding with his family, but later confirmed his arrest.
“Edebiri Temitope, ‘M’, aged 43 years, who was earlier reported to be at large, has been arrested in connection with the death of Oje Michael Eje, ‘M’,” he said.
He said the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta for further investigation.
