The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old man, Edebiri Temitope, in connection with the death of his 38-year-old neighbour, Oje Michael Eje, in Mowe, Ogun State.
The command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement released on Friday, saying the suspect, who was earlier reported to be at large, had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The incident reportedly followed an encounter between Eje and the suspect’s three-year-old child.
According to the police, Eje was accused of hugging and playing with the child, which allegedly angered the child’s father.
The police said the suspect considered Eje’s interaction with the child to be “rough play”.
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Babaseyi said, “A 38-year-old university graduate, Mike Oje, was reportedly beaten to death by his neighbour in Mowe, Ogun State.
“He was accused of hugging and playing with the neighbour’s 3-year-old child.”
The police spokesperson said the suspect allegedly became infuriated by the interaction and resorted to violence.
“The father who was said to have been infuriated by what he described as Mike’s ‘rough play’, grabbed a bamboo stick, and repeatedly struck him until he collapsed and died,” he said.
Eje, according to the police, was a university graduate who held a degree in Guidance and Counselling.
Following the incident, the suspect was initially reported to have fled with his family.
However, the police later announced that he had been arrested in connection with the death.
The command 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’.”
Babaseyi added that the suspect had been taken to the State CID for further investigation.
“The suspect has been transferred to the State CID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation,” he said.
