The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old man, Edebiri Temitope, over the death of his 38-year-old neighbour, Oje Michael Eje, in the Mowe area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that Temitope, who was initially reported to have fled after the incident, had been apprehended and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The incident reportedly occurred after Eje, a university graduate, was said to have hugged and played with the suspect’s three-year-old child, an action which allegedly angered the father.
According to the police, Temitope interpreted the interaction as rough play and became enraged, leading to a confrontation between the two neighbours.
Babaseyi said the suspect allegedly picked up a bamboo stick and repeatedly struck Eje until he collapsed and died.
He 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 three-year-old child.”
The deceased, according to the police, had a degree in Guidance and Counselling. Following his death, the suspect was said to have fled the area with his family before his eventual arrest by the police.
Confirming the arrest, Babaseyi 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 police spokesperson added that the suspect had been transferred to the State CID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, where investigators would continue probing the circumstances surrounding the death.
