Police in Ogun have arrested a 43-year-old man, Edebiri Temitope, for allegedly beating his neighbour to death with a bamboo stick for hugging his son in Bluestone Treasure Estate, Mowe-Ofada area of Ogun State.
The deceased, Micheal Oje, 38, a Guidance and Counselling graduate of Benue State University, was accused of hugging and playing rough with the 3-year-old child on August 26.
Peter Adum, a younger cousin to the deceased, explained that Micheal had just returned from work and the child who lived with them on the same street, ran towards him and hugged him.
He stated that Michael hugged the boy and threw him playfully in the air and caught him and later went to his room to sleep.
Adum said, “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.”
The suspect reportedly fled and went into hiding with his family.
But Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi on Friday, said the suspect had been arrested and transferred to the State CID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The PPRO said, “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’.
“The suspect has been transferred to the State CID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.”
